March 2026 Update: The long-awaited improvements on Novato Boulevard will begin in the Summer of 2026.   The City, the North Marin Water District, and the Novato Sanitary District will each be making improvements to their facilities on Novato Blvd., and have decided to partner the projects for construction.   The agencies will advertise and bid the project together, so that one contractor will be constructing MNWD’s water improvements, NSD’s sewer improvements, and the City’s roadway improvements concurrently.   This will decrease the duration of construction along the corridor, and minimize community disruption. 

The agencies are awaiting the substantial completion of two PG&E projects currently in-progress along Novato Blvd.   The first project is a Rule20A undergrounding project that will remove the overhead services of PG&E and various telecommunication companies, placing them in a newly constructed joint trench running along the edge of Novato Blvd.  As the project nears substantial completion this summer, the existing utility poles will be removed, making space for the City’s roadway improvements.

 The project construction schedule will not be determined until the agencies have selected a contractor through the public bidding process, however the agencies estimate that the construction of their improvements will take 18-24 months.   During this time, the community will experience traffic delays similar to the delays experienced as a result of the PG&E projects.  We appreciate the community’s continued patience as we work to bring updated utility services and a more pedestrian, cyclist, and motorist friendly Novato Blvd. to the community. 

 Questions? Contact PG&E Outreach Specialist John Baston at (707) 867-9466.

Project Overview

Novato Boulevard Improvements - Diablo to Grant (CIP 01-004)

Description:

• Contiguous sidewalks on both sides of Novato Blvd.  from Diablo Ave. to Grant Ave.
• Class II bike lanes on both sides of Novato Blvd. from Diablo Ave. to Grant Ave.
• Upgraded drainage facilities including clean water treatment
• Roadway widening
• Updated crosswalks
• Updated traffic signals
• Drought tolerant/water efficient and fire-wise landscape
• Updated street lighting
• Pavement Rehabilitation

On June 12, 2018, Novato City Council approved a new 3-lane layout for the Novato Blvd. Improvements Project (CIP #01-004) between Diablo Ave. and Grant Ave. The conceptual design includes sidewalk and bicycle lanes in both directions, utility undergrounding, new traffic signals at Diablo Ave, Seventh St., and Grant Ave. among other improvements. The smaller project “footprint” should impact private properties, trees and creeks, but still improves traffic flow through the corridor during peak commute hours.

The project includes improvements to Novato Boulevard between Grant Avenue and Diablo Avenue to provide two through travel lanes (one in each direction) and a center, two-way left-turn lane between Diablo Avenue and 7th Street-Tamalpais Avenue, a second northbound through-travel lane between Boulevard Terrace and 7th Street-Tamalpais Avenue, and three through-travel lanes (two northbound and one southbound) and a center, two-way left-turn lane between 7th Street-Tamalpais Avenue and Grant Avenue.

The project includes other improvements such as new and reconstructed sidewalks, new bike lanes, reconstructed driveways, landscaping and water quality enhancement areas. In addition to the proposed roadway improvements, the project would include upgrades to existing City utilities including storm drainage, signals and lighting. Acquisition of portions of land along Novato Boulevard would be necessary in order to construct the proposed project. Land acquisitions would be required on the frontage of five parcels, all of which would be between Cypress Avenue and Diablo Avenue.

The project will be completed after the completion of the PG&E Rule 20A project which will underground existing overhead electric wiring along portions of Novato Blvd. The Novato Boulevard improvements will be completed in conjunction with other public agency improvement projects, such as sanitary sewer and water lines.

The City improvements will be completed concurrently with projects by Novato Marin Water District and Novato Sanitary District.  The agencies have been working together to ensure their designs are coordinated and will continue to partner with the goal of conducting and efficient and least disruptive construction zone.  

The project Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was completed under the California Environmental Quality Act. As a part of this process, the EIR was uploaded to the California State Clearinghouse on October 5, 2021. 

Location

Novato Boulevard between Diablo Avenue and Grant Avenue

Benefit

Improvements are needed to enable the roadway and intersections to operate more efficiently and to enhance safety and usability for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. 

Schedule

As of Spring 2025, PG&E has begun undergrounding and gas main rehabilitation work. City staff is working closely with PG&E to coordinate the design of the projects, and the City’s work will begin once PG&E work is substantially completed. At this time, the completion date of the PG&E project is estimated to be early 2027.

Cost

The preliminary project cost is estimated between $10M-$15M with approximately $12M of Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Measure A funding programmed for construction in the year 2022-23. There is approximately $12.5 million programmed for project capital expenditures. 

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