The City of Santa Rosa submitted five projects for consideration to Sonoma County Transportation Authority’s call for Roadway Safety Improvement projects in September 2021. Two of these projects scored competitively for One Bay Area Grant Program 3 (OBAG3) funding; 1) The Highway 101 Hearn Avenue Multi-Use Pathway and Pavement Rehabilitation project and 2) The Downtown Connectivity to Support Housing Density Intensification project. These projects funded with Surface Transportation Program (STP) funding require a non-federal local match.

The Transportation and Public Works Department also recommends that the Council authorize the use of non-general funds (local utility impact fees, Capital Facilities Fees, Measure M funds, gas tax, and Transportation Development Act Article III funds) to match the federal funds being requested.

During the April 11, 2023 city council meeting, council approved the recommendation to authorize the use of the $3.8 million in Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) OBAG3 funding and non-general funds request.

Authorization to file an application to accept the OBAG3 funding also provides assurances that the City will complete the Highway 101 Hearn Avenue Multi-Use Pathway and Pavement Rehabilitation and the Downtown Connectivity to Support Housing Density Intensification projects.

The Highway 101 Hearn Avenue Multi-use Pathway and Pavement Rehabilitation project would install a Class 1 pathway on the south side of Hearn Avenue that would connect to the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) multi use pathway and the Hearn Interchange at Highway 101 for a separated bikeway. The project would also repave the segment of Hearn Avenue between Whitewood Drive and Corby Avenue.

The Downtown Connectivity to Support Housing Density Intensification project proposes to:

• Add the southbound right turn lane at B Street and Santa Rosa Avenue as identified in the Downtown Station Area Plan Update,
• Improve intersection operations at Sebastopol Road and Dutton Avenue by installing dual eastbound left turns
• Repave six street segments including:
  1. College Avenue from Railroad tracks to Cleveland and E Street to Fourth Street
  2. Brookwood Avenue from College Avenue to Sonoma Avenue
  3. E Street from Sonoma Avenue to Tupper Avenue
  4. Fourth Street from E Street to Brookwood Avenue
  5. Davis Street from Sixth Street to Fourth Street.

The Highway 101 Hearn Avenue Multi-use Pathway and Pavement Rehabilitation project is anticipated to begin construction in 2025 and the Downtown Connectivity to Support Housing Density Intensification project is anticipated to begin construction in 2026.

Visit the Construction Bulletin webpage for a list of the city's infrastructure construction projects.