Article Source: San Mateo County Transportation Authority

March 6, 2026

Media Contact: Randol White, 415-515-7624

New $5.6 million investment advances plan to improve travel along the Highway 101 corridor in San Mateo County

The San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) Board of Directors adopted the South County Multimodal Strategy at its March meeting, completing the final segment of a countywide effort to identify transportation improvements along the U.S. 101 corridor.

The Board also allocated $5.6 million in New Measure A interest income funds to advance key initiatives within the 101 Corridor Connect Program and to begin development of a new multimodal planning effort for the Highway 1 corridor.

The South County Multimodal Strategy focuses on communities along U.S. 101 from Redwood City to East Palo Alto, identifying and prioritizing projects that improve safety, expand travel options and help reduce congestion on one of the county’s busiest transportation corridors.

“With the completion of the South County strategy, we now have a comprehensive, community-informed roadmap for improving mobility along the entire U.S. 101 corridor in San Mateo County,” said SMCTA Board Chair Julia Mates. “These strategies position our communities well to compete for state and federal funding while advancing projects that improve safety, connectivity and sustainability.”

The strategy builds on earlier work completed for the North and Mid County segments, which the board adopted in December 2025. Together, the three plans form a countywide framework for identifying and prioritizing multimodal projects within one mile of the U.S. 101 corridor.

The planning process evaluated existing transportation conditions, safety and equity considerations, and projects identified by local jurisdictions and regional partners. Extensive public engagement helped shape priorities, with outreach conducted in multiple languages and targeted efforts to reach historically underrepresented communities.

Each strategy includes a prioritized list of projects designed to improve transportation connections and reduce vehicle miles traveled. The projects will become part of the 101 Corridor Connect Program and may receive technical assistance to help secure grant funding and advance toward implementation.

The board also adopted the U.S. 101 San Mateo County Crossings Improvement Plan (Active 101), a companion initiative focused on improving walking, biking and rolling connections along and across Highway 101. The plan identifies priority active transportation projects within a quarter mile of the corridor between Brisbane and East Palo Alto, with a focus on safer freeway crossings and improved access for underserved communities.

Funding to advance program implementation

In addition to adopting the South County Multimodal Strategy, the SMCTA Board approved $5.6 million to support the next phase of the program:

$4 million for a 101 Corridor Connect Kickstart Mini-Grant Program to help local agencies advance priority projects.

$750,000 to develop key performance indicators (KPIs) that will measure program outcomes and track progress toward mobility, safety and sustainability goals.

$850,000 to develop a Highway 1 Coastal Connect Plan, expanding multimodal planning to the coastal corridor.

The adopted multimodal strategies will also serve as San Mateo County’s local Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plans, making listed projects eligible for the state’s Senate Bill 1 Solutions for Congested Corridors Program funding.

About the 101 Corridor Connect Program

SMCTA established the 101 Corridor Connect Program to take a comprehensive approach to addressing congestion along U.S. 101 while improving travel options for people who walk, bike, take transit or drive. The program builds on the California Department of Transportation’s U.S. 101 South Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan and focuses on four goals: safety, connectivity, sustainability and inclusivity.

The final South County Multimodal Strategy will be posted on the SMCTA website in an accessible format in the coming weeks.

 

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About the Transportation Authority (TA): Created to administer Measure A, San Mateo County’s ½ cent sales tax, the TA provides funding for transportation projects and programs in San Mateo County. In 2004, more than 75% of San Mateo County voters reauthorize Measure A for an additional 25 years. In 2018, voters approved Measure W, the San Mateo County Congestion Relief Plan an additional ½ cent sales tax. The TA will administer half the revenue of Measure W and the San Mateo County Transit District will administer the other half to fund and implement the Congestion Relief Plan.