San Rafael commuters and cyclists who use Shoreline Highway to reach Highway 1 and the coast have a chance to weigh in on the corridor's future.
Marin County is gathering public feedback on the Tam Junction Placemaking Study through a free webinar Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 6 p.m. and an online survey open through noon Monday, Aug. 24.
The study covers the Tam Junction, Manzanita and Shoreline areas in unincorporated southern Marin, a commercial hub wedged between Marin City and Mill Valley. As Patch reported, the stretch is a key corridor for San Rafael commuters and cyclists traveling between the city and Highway 1, funneling traffic from delivery trucks, local residents, business patrons and visitors headed to Muir Woods, Mount Tamalpais State Park and coastal West Marin.
The problems are familiar. Congestion, gaps in the bike and pedestrian network, limited parking, restricted emergency access and seasonal flooding all plague the corridor. Waterfront areas on the west side of Richardson Bay are regularly swamped by winter storm surges, king tides and longer-term sea level rise, sometimes making Shoreline Highway impassable, according to the county's press release.
Two community meetings in April 2026 surfaced those concerns along with complaints about accessibility barriers, signage clutter and roadway safety. The Aug. 5 webinar will cover the same material for residents who missed those sessions.
"We want to make sure we hear from the residents and business owners in this area before scoping the work, so the final study reflects findings to ensure that any future plans are feasible," Community Development Agency Director Sarah Jones said in the county's July 27 announcement.
County staff said the feedback will shape the study's scope before a consulting firm is hired. The Marin County Board of Supervisors is expected to authorize the work plan at a hearing in late fall 2026, with the full study launching in early 2027.
The Board named community and economic vitality a top priority in early 2025, and the Tam Junction study flows from that designation. There is also growing interest in updating the Tamalpais Area Community Plan to strengthen long-term economic resilience in the corridor.
How to participate
- Webinar: Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Registration is open until the presentation begins at the county's Tam Junction project page.
- Survey: Open through noon Monday, Aug. 24, at the same project page.
- Email updates: Residents can sign up for project notifications through the county's GovDelivery page or email CDA staff directly.
The Board of Supervisors' fall hearing date has not been announced. Residents who want to track the timeline can monitor the county's project page for updates.
