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Public Works

  1. Public Works
  2. Active Projects and Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
  3. Francisco Blvd. East Sidewalk Improvement Project

Francisco Blvd. East Sidewalk Improvement Project

francisco blvd east sidewalkThe existing sidewalk along Francisco Boulevard East is utilized daily by pedestrians and bicyclists that must navigate the congestion of fire hydrants and power poles. This project will install an 8‐foot‐wide sidewalk/bike pathway on Francisco Boulevard East between Vivian Street and Grand Avenue.

Design, utility and private property coordination was completed at the end of summer 2019.  City staff has coordinated with Caltrans as required for authorization to proceed with the construction phase.

Construction began at the beginning of July 2020.  Construction operations will be broken into five Phases in an attempt to minimize traffic congestion and impact on local businesses.  During construction there will be some day-time work and some night-time work with temporary traffic diversions.

Two-way pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be maintained on Francisco Blvd East throughout duration of all construction operations and as well as continuous access to driveways.

Francisco Blvd East Sidewalk Widening

Goals for Project

  • Provide a wider sidewalk for pedestrian and bicycle
  • Provide connectivity between the Grand Avenue Bridge and wider sidewalk south of Vivian
  • Replace San Rafael Sanitation District main line

Project Plan

  • Construct Sidewalk project
  • Design Francisco Blvd East Resurfacing Project
  • Hire contractor to construct resurfacing project Spring/Summer 2021

Overall Objective

  • Improve pedestrian and bicycle safety by providing a wider sidewalk

Project Timeline

Planning and CoordinationSeptember 2018 – January 2020
Construction Bidding & AwardJanuary 2020 – June 2020
ConstructionJuly 2020 – June 2021
Street ResurfacingJune 2021 - August 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the new sidewalk be connected to the new Grand Avenue pedestrian bridge?

Yes, this path will connect with the recently completed Grand Avenue bridge.  The intent is to improve pedestrian and bicycle access from the Canal neighborhoods to downtown San Rafael.

Will existing parallel street parking along the frontages be affected and/or eliminated?

Some of the parallel parking will be temporarily inaccessible during construction, but there will be no elimination of existing parking spaces along the frontages.

Will any of the existing infrastructure (e.g. trees, landscaping, retaining walls, light poles, etc.) along the property frontages be altered or eliminated?

If any of the privately-owned infrastructure is within the Francisco Blvd East right-of-way and
are in the way of the new sidewalk, they will likely need to be moved onto private property or
eliminated. The City will work with property owners where this is necessary to achieve an
amicable solution

Will this work adversely affect my utility hookups or result in any disruption of services?

No, businesses and resident’s utility hookups will not be disrupted during construction.

Will there be access to businesses during construction?

Yes. The construction will likely be completed in short phases along the ¾ mile long stretch,
rather than all at once.

Will any portion of the new sidewalk encroach onto private property?

No. The new sidewalk will be entirely within the Francisco Blvd East right-of-way.

Project Updates

Francisco Blvd East Project completed – Vivian to Medway

Posted on November 6, 2020

The City’s contractor on Francisco Blvd East has made significant progress over the past several weeks by completing the installation of storm drainpipe between Vivian and Harbor Streets. The new sidewalk has been installed in multiple stretches, including Vivian to Medway and Hoag to Harbor. The contractor’s electrician has installed foundations and underground conduit for...
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Francisco Blvd East Sidewalk Improvements Project

Posted on September 11, 2020

At the end of July, the City kicked off the multimillion-dollar upgrade of the sidewalk on Francisco Blvd East between Vivian and Grand Ave. The City’s contractor, Ghilotti Bros, continues to make progress replacing underground storm drainpipe. Concurrent with the City’s project is a cooperative effort with the San Rafael Sanitation District (SRSD). The project...

Francisco Blvd East Sidewalk Project

Posted on August 7, 2020

Construction has started on Francisco Blvd East from Vivian to Grand Avenue. The City has coordinated with the San Rafael Sanitation District to complete a much-anticipated sidewalk widening project with a sewer replacement project. We are taking advantage of the decrease in traffic volume during the COVID pandemic to do construction during the day for...
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