City of San Rafael, CA

06/24/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/24/2026 13:05

Updated Memorandum & Feedback Request: Second and Fourth Street Intersection Improvements

Second and Fourth Street Intersection Improvements Project

Overview:

Fourth Street, also known as the "Miracle Mile" connects San Rafael to San Anselmo and all points west in Marin County. The corridor was built in the mid-20th century and has surpassed its useful life. The traffic signals are outdated, pedestrian facilities do not meet the current ADA standards, and the facility is in need of major improvements to handle the multi-modal traffic using it each day. The City's Second and Fourth Street Intersection Improvements project plans to reconfigure the intersection, shorten the crossing distances and minimizing the number of crossings for pedestrians and bicycles.

Please learn more about the Intersection Improvements by visiting the website here: https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/second-and-fourth-street-intersection-improvements/

Recent News:

A technical memorandum titled Intersections Near 2nd St / 4th St. Traffic and Circulation Safety Study has been produced by Parametrix and posted to this project's website.

This memorandum documents the Parametrix traffic and circulation safety study of the intersections near 2nd Street / 4th Street in the City of San Rafael. The study was initiated in conjunction with the planned reconstruction of the 2nd Street / 4th Street intersection, which currently proposes the closure of the westbound left turn lane onto Marquard Ave. & left-turn movements from 2nd Street onto Marquard.

Parametrix recommends the following based on their analysis:

Intersection

Observation

Recommendation

4th St /

Greenfield Ave

Northbound queues may block West End Avenue.

• Shift limit line closer to intersection.

• Install "KEEP CLEAR" pavement markings

Westbound left queues are projected to spill into adjacent through lane under project conditions.

• Adjust signal timing to increase green time for westbound left phase and incorporate a westbound left reservice phase.

Greenfield Ave/ West End Ave

Drivers may "shortcut" from 2nd Street to West End Avenue.

• Stripe medians to narrow intersection.

• Install high-visibility crosswalk markings and advance limit lines. Adjust "STOP" pavement marking.

• Install white rubber curbs and delineators.

• Install painted bulbouts.

2nd St /

West St

Narrow roadway may create challenges for drivers

entering or exiting West Street

• Paint additional 20' of red curb on the West Street approach to 2nd Street.

Vehicles parked in the ambiguous parking areas on 2nd Street near West Street would constrain sight distance

• Stripe out parking lane at the ambiguous areas to clarify parking restriction.

Uncontrolled westbound left and northbound movements cross two-way cycletrack.

• Install W16-21P sign under existing STOP sign on West St.

2nd St /

East St

Narrow roadway may create challenges for drivers entering or exiting East Street.

• Paint additional 12' of red curb on the East Street departure from 2nd Street.

Northbound right-on-red vehicles may encroach into the south leg crosswalk and twoway cycletrack.

• Install R10-11 "NO TURN ON RED" sign for northbound vehicles.

Marquard Ave /

Fremont Rd

Delivery trucks cannot complete a westbound left turn due to the tight corner radius.

• Install custom delivery truck restriction signs at West / Jessup and Marquard / Fremont. Signs will direct delivery trucks to use Greenfield / West End instead.

Marquard Ave / West St

Tight turning radius at northwest corner may cause curb encroachments.

• Conduct feasibility review of right-of-way limits related to realigning curb to provide additional turning space.

On-street parking east of the intersection may restrict turning movements.

• Paint 5' of red curb on both sides of the driveway at 10 West Street to improve maneuverability at intersection

You may view the full memorandum here: Parametrix Technical Memorandum

We Want To Hear From You!

The City will be opening a two-week period on the memorandum for all interested residents to provide comments.

Please submit your comments related to the technical memorandum on the Microsoft Form here: Traffic and Circulation Safety Study - Comment Form

City of San Rafael, CA published this content on June 24, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 24, 2026 at 19:05 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]