San Rafael gets grants for school route safety projects
San Rafael has secured $155,000 in grants for pedestrian safety projects along well-traveled school routes.
The grants come from the Transportation Development Act program, which provides funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects in the nine-county Bay Area.
The Transportation Authority of Marin approved the projects to receive the funding in October.
The San Rafael City Council authorized agreements with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission on Jan. 20 to receive the funding.
A $88,300 grant will support pedestrian enhancements along Point San Pedro Road. The city is considering potential improvements at the intersections of Knight Drive, Peacock Drive and Riviera Drive, but the plans are still in development.
“Residents and Safe Routes to School identified these locations as key crossings to improve safety along Point San Pedro Road, particularly for students walking to and from school,” said Grey Melgard, a city civil engineer. “This project delivers high-visibility crossings, pedestrian refuge islands and rapid flashing beacons that significantly improve safety, comfort and accessibility for people walking, biking and traveling through the corridor.”
The city is also considering new street markings, rubber curbs and curb bulb-outs at corners.
The project is expected to cost about $182,000. The remaining cost is covered by the city’s annual pavement program.
Staff are expected to have the design completed in time for construction to begin this summer.
The other grant is a $66,700 award for the installation of a concrete berm along the edge of a pedestrian path on Park Street and Belle Avenue.
The berm is a low, raised barrier made of asphalt that helps define the path. The area inside the berm would be paved for a smoother walking surface. Red curb paint would be added to mark no-parking zones.
Both Safe Routes to School and San Rafael High School have identified the path as a gap in the pedestrian corridor for students walking to and from the campus, Melgard said.
“The project improves safety and accessibility along a heavily used corridor for teens and families,” Melgard said. “It supports safer daily travel to school while strengthening neighborhood walkability. Overall, it delivers targeted improvements that respond directly to documented community safety needs.”
The project is expected to be completed within the next fiscal year.
“We are grateful to our local partners for their support and investment in projects that enhance safe routes for students and families,” said Carmen Diaz Ghysels, superintendent of San Rafael City Schools. “Improvements like these create safer, more accessible ways for students to walk to school and strengthen our shared commitment to student safety and well-being.”