US 101 / SR 92 Interchange Direct Connector Project
Project Overview
The San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA), in partnership with the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG) proposes to create a dedicated managed lane connection between SR 92 and the US 101 Express Lanes. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 4 is the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Currently, there is no High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) direct connection between the Express Lanes and 92. Once completed, the project will provide better connectivity to improve operational efficiency, encourage carpooling and the use of shuttles and buses.
One no-build and three build alternatives are being studied:
Project Team
- San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA)
- City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG)
- California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
The cities of San Mateo and Foster City are key stakeholders in this project.
Project Goals
- Improve the travel time reliability for those traveling between US 101 and SR 92, east of US 101
- Encourage carpooling and the use of shuttles and buses to increase the number of people moved (person throughput)
- Improve the operational efficiency of the US 101 and SR 92 interchange
Design Options
- Project partners are currently studying one no-build option and three alternatives for the connection lanes:
No-Build Alternative
Under the No-Build Alternative, there would be no action and the improvements proposed under Build Alternatives 1, 2, and 3 would not be constructed.
Build Alternative 1 – Direct Connector from Westbound SR 92 to the US 101 Express Lanes
This alternative would provide a direct connection from westbound (WB) 92 to both directions of the 101 Express Lanes. The direct connector would provide access to the express lanes on 101 from WB 92 without requiring lane changes, thereby reducing weaving and merging of traffic on 101, benefiting morning commuters
Build Alternative 2 – Reversible Direct Connector Between the US 101 Express Lanes and SR 92
Like Alternative 1, Alternative 2 would provide a direct connection between 92 and the 101 Express Lanes. The main difference would be that the connector under Alternative 2 would be a reversible lane, meaning that it would allow access from WB 92 to the 101 Express Lanes during morning commute hours, and then switch to allow access from the 101 Express Lanes to eastbound (EB) 92 during evening commute hours. Access to the reversible lane direct connector would be regulated by a system to control the direction of traffic flow.
Build Alternative 3 – Direct Connector from the US 101 Express Lanes to Eastbound SR 92
This alternative would provide a direct connection from the 101 Express Lanes to EB 92 to serve traffic heading to the Hayward-San Mateo Bridge. The direct connector would provide access from the express lanes on 101 to EB 92 without requiring a lane change, thereby reducing weaving and merging of traffic on 101 and EB 92, benefiting evening commuters.
Get Involved
Upcoming Environmental Scoping Meetings
Join one of the environmental scoping meetings to learn more about the project.
Virtual Scoping Meeting: Tuesday, April 23, 6 p.m.
- Presentation: English | Español | 中文
- Recording: SMCTA Youtube Channel
In-person Scoping Meeting: Wednesday, May 1, 6 p.m.
- Location: Foster City Community Center
1000 E Hillsdale Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404
At both the virtual and in-person meetings, attendees can ask questions about the project. Questions and discussion at the meetings are not considered official scoping comments. To be included in the official record, all scoping comments must be submitted by mail, email, or online. The project team will provide information to Scoping Meeting attendees on how to make comments directly. Attendance at a scoping meeting is not required to submit comments.
Submit Comments
Comments on the environmental scoping of the project must be submitted in one of three ways: mail, email, or via this online form, and any comments must be sent by May 15, 2024.
If sending by mail, send to:
Caltrans District 4
Attn. Tanvi Gupta
P.O. Box 23660, MS 8B
Oakland, CA 94623-0660
If sending by email, email to: 101-92DC@dot.ca.gov. If sending online, use this link.
Project Location
Cities of San Mateo and Foster City in San Mateo County - 101/92 interchange (101 from Hillsdale Boulevard to Kehoe Avenue and 92 west of Hayward-San Mateo Bridge).
