Residents Need to Speak Up to Keep Madera, Lucky Interchanges Open Local Public Issues, posted by Stan Hoffman, General Manager Town Center Corte Madera, a resident of the Corte Madera neighborhood, on Sep 25, 2009 at 10:15 am
For those of us fortunate enough to live in Marin, not a day goes by that we don't appreciate the beauty and charm of our amazing community. We have countless people to thank, who over the years have fought tirelessly to preserve our way of life and prevent the urbanization of Marin County. The highway to Stinson Beach and the development of west Marin, along with numerous other large inappropriate development projects were prevented because the residents of Marin stood up and said NO!
Seven years ago, on October 29, 2002, there was a historic joint meeting of the Corte Madera Town Council and the Larkspur City Council in which they discussed traffic congestion on Highway 101 between Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and Corte Madera. At that meeting, both councils took the position that while they supported relieving traffic congestion on Highway 101, they did not want that traffic shifted to local streets by closing of the Madera Blvd. interchange (Chevron at Town Center), and the Lucky Drive interchange (Gold’s Gym).
Since that meeting, there have been numerous public meetings with the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM). With the passage of Regional Measure 2 in March 2004, there is about $65 million dollars that are available for this project. Without exception, in every one of those meetings, including the recent September 15, 2009 Corte Madera Town Council meeting, the overwhelming consensus was to keep the Madera Blvd. interchange open. While common sense dictates that closing two of the four interchanges between Sir Francis Drake and Tamalpais Drive would have a significant negative impact on the streets of Corte Madera and Larkspur, Mr. Bill Whitney of TAM continues to state that his recommendation to do so is based on public input. TAM is not being straightforward with his statements.
We insist that TAM represents our community’s interests. Our County Supervisor Mr. Steve Kinsey has also attended many of these meetings, and it is time for Mr. Kinsey to listen to his constituents who overwhelmingly do not want the charming and beautiful communities of Corte Madera and Larkspur to be harmed by this proposal.
TAM is finalizing their proposal to close the Madera Blvd. and Lucky Drive interchanges, and will soon commission an environmental impact report. All public input received, will be included in the project’s environmental impact report. Please email Mr. Whitney, the TAM Project Manager at bwhitney@tam.ca.gov or call him at 415 226-0823 (comments are due by 10/14/09). This is the last chance for this generation of Marin residents to stand up and say NO!
Posted by Avi Love, a resident of the San Anselmo neighborhood, on Sep 26, 2009 at 9:53 pm
This is unbelievable - that the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) would choose to CLOSE the freeway access routes of Lucky and Madera. I have to say, I am flabbergasted that such an idea is found to have merit by anyone. Ever since my car was rear-ended while I was simply sitting at a red light on SFD by a car getting off the freeway, I have elected to avoid the SFD interchange altogether. I am a frequent shopper in Corte Madera (and have been for years and years), not at the crowded shopping centers, but particularly at my favorite independent bookstore, Book Passage, at the Century Cinema and at Max's restaurant. I have recommended the Best Western to my corporate clients and visiting friends because of the convenience of the freeway access routes. Even downtown Larkspur is a feasible shopping area if one uses the Lucky access route. If LUCKY and MADERA are closed, it will be devastating. Local businesses deserve to be given a chance to thrive. Surely all residents of Southern Marin can see the sense of this, since it is their local streets that will bear the burden of diverted traffic. The alternates north (SFD) and south (Tamalpais/Paradise) of Lucky and Madera are so problematic and overladen with traffic now that I avoid them at all costs, as do many of my friends and business associates. I believe that other consumers will too. Corte Madera and Larkspur will lose more business than they can even imagine. Please, if you are a Marin resident reading this post, send an email or letter to voice objection to TAM.
Posted by Jake, a resident of the Corte Madera neighborhood, on Sep 27, 2009 at 10:33 am
Outrageous. It sounds like the freeway will be easier to build, but never mind what the locals want. If TAM does not represent our interests, then we should speak up and replace the management.
Posted by Outraged, a resident of the Corte Madera neighborhood, on Sep 27, 2009 at 6:13 pm
No one except TAM staff, consultants and CalTrans supports the closure of Madera and Lucky, yet project manager Bill Whitney continues to insist that it has broad public support. In his dreams!
What most people don't yet know is that TAM is being given additional authority over land use planning in Marin by the state legislature, so if you don't want to have even more heavy-handed decision-making and total loss of local control, send a message to Jared Huffman and Mark Leno. Tell them to nip it in the bud.
Posted by Pam, a resident of the San Rafael neighborhood, on Sep 28, 2009 at 8:40 am
I read somewhere that the theory of closure has has something to do with number of exits per mile of freeway. Sounds like one of those theoretical, statistical calculations that has nothing to do with the actual experience of drivers. And because it will take longer to get to the destination when exits are removed, doesn't that add to exhaust and produce more air pollution and use more energy?
Posted by D.Rodney, a resident of the Kentfield neighborhood, on Sep 28, 2009 at 7:03 pm
By closing these 2 interchanges, ie Madera & Lucky Drive, I will have to use Sir Francis Drake or go all the way to Tamalpais to get home. What are they thinking?
Posted by Jim, a resident of the Corte Madera neighborhood, on Sep 29, 2009 at 8:25 am
Those interchanges are the most inefficient in the country. They should absolutely be closed and redesigned. You people are completely wrong in opposing a change. It needed to be rebuilt 20 years ago and now Mr. Whitney will get it done. Go Bill!!!
Posted by Corte Madera resident, a resident of the Corte Madera neighborhood, on Sep 29, 2009 at 8:40 am
The Transportation Authority of Marin is holding an open house today, Sept. 29 at 5:30 at Redwood Highway. I would encourage all of you who are concerned about the freeway proposal to attend. You may find that the plans are not as bad as you may think. For instance, TAM's plan incorporates ways for cars to get to Fifer/Lucky Dr. (via a "braided" ramp) and Madera Ave. (via a new frontage road). Is the plan perfect? Not in my opinion, but it's not as bad as most of you are making it out to be. It certainly would be better than the unsafe design we currently have. Be informed!
Posted by LJA, a resident of the Novato neighborhood, on Sep 29, 2009 at 11:13 am
Insane! So, if I want to vist my mother in Greenbrae Marina across from Redwood High School, I'd have to either exit at SFD and go all the way down to Marin Catholic and cross the Bon Air bridge or drive down to Tamalpias and come all the way back up Tamal Vista? NO F***ING WAY! Perhaps Mr. Whitney can explain to my mother why I'll no longer be able to visit as often due to his proposed realignment.
Posted by Esther Blau, a resident of the Mill Valley neighborhood, on Sep 29, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Mr. Whitney:
I am a 36-year resident of Mill Valley. As such, I use the Madera and Lucky Drive on-ramps and exits very frequently in order to accomplish errands of many kinds. I cannot see how closure of either of these interchanges would help traffic on Highway 101, especially since the recent widening work has greatly improved the flow of traffic.
Furthermore, it is obvious that closure of these interchanges would put increased pressure on local streets and on the neighboring interchanges, especially Tamalpais/Paradise Drive. It would seriously detract from shopping at the Town Center, Village, and "Cost Plus/Trader Joe" shopping malls, and discourage shoppers from using smaller businesses in central Marin.
And even more excruciatingly, it would have a negative impact on traffic to and from Ross Valley, as Sir Francis would become the default exit/on-ramp for that area and beyond to San Anselmo and Fairfax. Consider the choking traffic on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. at several peak times during the day, corresponding to the shifts at Marin General Hospital, Marin Catholic High School and Bon Air shopping center; both Madera and Lucky Drive provide excellent options for avoiding the SFD interchange. A plan that might have had some relevance in 2002 would be a major setback today.
Posted by Larry McFadden, a resident of the Fairfax neighborhood, on Sep 29, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Does the stupidity never cease? Closing even one of the interchanges would disrupt traffic and have an adverse impact on commute traffic not to mention the residential areas. Please tell me this is a joke!!!!
Posted by Joel Symmes, a resident of the Mill Valley neighborhood, on Sep 30, 2009 at 9:52 am
While this proposal may have some minor upside, the large end result would be greater traffic congestion in some areas and restrict access to local business in other areas. If safety is the concern, there are other approaches with reasonable, more effective solutions. I believe it is important to consider the restriction of access and traffic congestion would hinder ambulance, fire and police vehicles as well.
My secondary concern is why is one person, Mr Whitney in particular, the only person who makes this decision in spite of overwhelming public opposition?
I urge a more intelligent solution to this problem and what is the problem again, congestion on highway 101? That's pretty much been solved!
Posted by Sahsha, a resident of the Corte Madera neighborhood, on Oct 3, 2009 at 9:07 pm
It is my opinion that the Lucky Drive exit, entry is dangerous and should be closed. I don't see the danger or understand the reasons to close in the Madera exit or entry
View in an RSS Reader
E-mail this topic.
Print this topic.
