San Rafael residents who use Embarcadero Way have until August 31, 2026 to tell the city whether a full vehicle closure on the narrow East San Rafael street should become permanent.
The city opened its Phase 3 survey on July 20, asking neighbors to share their experience with the closure and compare it to two earlier one-way configurations that were tested and removed. The online survey is available at cityofsanrafael.org/embarcadero.
Embarcadero Way between Mission Avenue and Marina Court Drive has been closed to all vehicle traffic since June 15. Bicyclists, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles can still pass through. The street connects Third Street to the Montecito neighborhood and primarily serves residents, students, and faculty at San Rafael High School.
Why the street was closed
The closure came after two earlier phases failed to solve safety problems on the road, which is so narrow that cars frequently backed into driveways or waited at wider spots to let oncoming traffic pass, according to a city staff report prepared by Traffic Engineering Technician Kelly Abey, City Traffic Engineer Sayed Fakhry, and Public Works Director April Miller.
Phase 1, installed in February 2026, made the street one-way uphill. The Montecito Area Residents Association and other community members asked the city to test the opposite direction. Phase 2, installed in May 2026, reversed the flow to one-way downhill but was pulled after traffic data showed increased speeding and more wrong-way drivers.
Phase 3 added stronger signage and physical barriers to block vehicles entirely while preserving emergency access.
What happens after the survey
After the August 31 deadline, the project team will compile data and feedback from all three phases into a final report. That report will first go to the city's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, then to City Council for a vote on whether to make the closure permanent. No dates have been set for either presentation.
The closure will remain in place until City Council votes on the matter. The staff report indicates a council hearing in early winter 2026, but no specific date has been scheduled.
The city and Marin County are coordinating on the project because Embarcadero Way sits on the boundary between San Rafael and unincorporated county land, and the closure may shift vehicle counts onto county streets.
Cost and contract
The city hired consulting firm Parametrix, Inc. in fall 2025 under a $94,215 contract funded by Gas Tax revenue to design and implement the pilot. A $26,580 amendment to cover additional work on Phases 2 and 3 appeared on the City Council's July 20 consent calendar. If approved, the total contract would reach $120,795.
The city first began outreach on converting Embarcadero Way in 2022 but paused the effort when its traffic engineering team lacked capacity. Work resumed once the team was rebuilt.
Residents can take the Phase 3 survey and find project updates at cityofsanrafael.org/embarcadero.
