Redwood City embraces eco-friendly transit with upcoming bike-friendly boulevard, receives $1.3 million grant
San Mateo County, California – With a $1.3 million grant given for the building of its first bicycle boulevard on Vera Avenue, Redwood City is poised to see a notable increase in efforts to improve cycling infrastructure. Thanks to financing from the San Mateo County Transit Authority, this project fits within a larger, countywide effort by San Mateo County to increase pedestrian and bicycle access and lower traffic congestion.
Aimed at funding several infrastructure projects around the county, the grant is a portion of a large $26.8 million allocation. Apart from $2.2 million from the Alternative Congestion Relief/Transportation Demand Management Program, the Vera Avenue bicycle boulevard project is backed by $24.6 million obtained from Measure A and Measure W Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Funds.
In a recent statement, San Mateo County Transit Authority’s Board of Directors’ chairman, Carlos Romero, underlined the value of these projects.
“This program of projects highlights our commitment to building safer, more accessible infrastructure for all modes of travel,” said board Chair Carlos Romero in a Friday press release, RWC Pulse reported.
In 2022 Vera Avenue, a 1.1-mile stretch linking El Camino Real to Alameda de las Pulgas via Red Morton Park, will become a bike-friendly route. Vera Avenue was chosen for this pilot project strategically; it is close to lower socioeconomic areas, has existing conditions fit for bike lanes, and sees rather low traffic volume, therefore improving accessibility for all people.
Originally started as a trial under Metropolitan Transportation Commission money from C/CAG Transportation Development Act Article 3, the project has now been permanently endorsed with further $1.3 million investment. With an eye on creating a safer and more welcoming environment for cyclists, planned improvements include neighborhood traffic circles, bike crossings, and enhanced signage.
Redwood City’s project manager and main transportation planner, Malahat Owrang, shared her enthusiasm about the possible effects of the project. She said she is happy about the money since it would help to provide safer and better bike access to Roosevelt Elementary School and Red Morton facilities. By fall of 2025, she expects the project to be completed, so attaining a major turning point in the city’s attempts to support environmentally friendly transportation.
Read also: California launches streamlined housing projects with funds from Prop 1 to address homelessness
The Vera Avenue project is just one of 33 initiatives funded under the county’s recent grant allocations. Other noteworthy initiatives are for a $2 million Phase II Huntington Avenue Bikeway in San Bruno and a $200,000 small-scale bicycle and pedestrian enhancement fund in Half Moon Bay.
Read also: Drunk driving prevention campaign intensifies in San Mateo with checkpoint and public safety push
As Romero said, these initiatives together show a larger vision for improved community connectivity in San Mateo County and sustainable mobility. Redwood City not only moves toward greener modes of transportation but also sets a standard for community-oriented urban design in the area with this investment.
