What is the Grand Boulevard Initiative?
Project Overview El Camino Real (State Route 82), more commonly known as El Camino, is a Caltrans-maintained road and the spine of San Mateo County. People want a safe experience on El Camino, whether walking, biking, riding transit or driving to get to downtowns, businesses, schools, and other destinations. The Grand Boulevard Initiative (GBI) will build on new momentum to re-envision the future of mobility on El Camino. SamTrans, the cities along El Camino, and the county are working together through GBI to better coordinate and more quickly advance improvements on the corridor. SamTrans is sponsoring the first phase of a coordinated Caltrans project development process, called a Project Initiation Document (PID) for all of El Camino Real in San Mateo County. Once complete, the PID will define the purpose and need for the changes along the corridor as well as potential design options.
Project History and Relaunch
GBI first started in 2006 and secured over $11 million in federal and state grants to support transportation and housing projects along the corridor. This relaunch coordinates local planning efforts on El Camino. GBI is led by SamTrans and brings Caltrans, neighboring cities, other public sector partners, and advocacy and public interest groups together with the GBI Task Force and Working Group. This relaunch is backed by $2 million in funding by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) with additional local match funding. The GBI relaunch aligns with ongoing state, countywide, and city plans.
Project Schedule
Phase 1 - Develop GBI Action Plan
The GBI Action Plan outlines transportation priorities for El Camino Real and identifies funding opportunities for cities along the corridor.
Phase 2 - Initiate first step of the Caltrans project development process & coordinate with cities and towns along El Camino and partner agencies
The first step in the Caltrans project development process takes approximately 18 to 24 months to complete.
Phase 3 – Finalize GBI Action Plan
Cities will finish local plans relating to El Camino.
Phase 4 - Finalize first step of the Caltrans project development process, the Project Initiation Document (PID)
SamTrans is sponsoring the PID for all of El Camino Real in San Mateo County to define potential design options for the corridor.
Next Steps
Future Phases
Future phases will include design and construction of streetscape improvements on El Camino.