Central El Camino Multimodal Plan

What is the Central El Camino Real Multimodal Plan (Central El Camino Plan)? 

Originally designed as a state highway for high-speed auto travel, El Camino Real (El Camino) now faces challenges in providing a safe and efficient trip for the many people using it for multiple modes of travel every day. As the main roadway that connects San Mateo County, El Camino needs essential improvements to better connect people to key downtowns, businesses, schools, transit stations, and other destinations. 

Get Involved

From now through February 28, review and provide feedback on design options for improving El Camino Real! Your input will help inform next steps in working with Caltrans to make improvements to El Camino Real.

Complete the survey ¡Complete la encuesta 完成问卷调查! 

Upcoming Pop-up Events

San Mateo

San Mateo Library
55 W 3rd Avenue
Monday, January 12, 2026; 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Belmont

Twin Pines Senior and
Community Center
20 Twin Pines Lane
Thursday, January 15, 2026; 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

San Carlos

San Carlos Library (2nd floor)
610 Elm Street
Tuesday, January 20, 2026; 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Virtual Community Workshop

Thursday, February 26, 2026; 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Can’t make it in-person? Join the virtual community workshop via Zoom on Thursday, February 26, from 6-8 PM. Click here to register.

About the Project 

Led by SamTrans and the cities of San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos, and Redwood City, the Central El Camino Real Multimodal Plan is a planning project that will improve transportation and safety along an eight and a half-mile stretch of El Camino.  

Fact sheet Hoja informativa 情况介绍 информационный бюллетень 

This project is funded by SamTrans and a Transit Performance Initiative (TPI) grant awarded by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). 

Contact

For questions, please contact grandboulevard@samtrans.com or 1-800-660-4287.

The Plan aims to transform El Camino into a safe, inviting, connected, and transit-oriented boulevard. 

Project goals:

  • Create a cohesive, locally defined vision that improves the walking, biking, rolling, driving, and transit experience on El Camino in San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos, and Redwood City
  • Enhance safety for all users traveling on El Camino, addressing major safety issues as part of the county's High-Injury Network
  • Identify a transportation improvement option that meets both the regional and local needs for El Camino  

The Plan focuses on El Camino in the cities of San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos, and a small portion of Redwood City. 

 

Map of project area which stretches along El Camino Real in the cities including San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos, and a small portion of Redwood City

The Central El Camino Plan builds on local and countywide efforts and the Grand Boulevard Initiative (GBI), to create a clear vision of the corridor that meets both local and countywide needs for all types of transportation.  

The design alternatives that will be identified as part of the Central El Camino Plan will be used to start the Caltrans project development process. The first step of this process, called a Project Initiation Document (PID), is a critical step in getting future funding from the state. The Grand Boulevard Initiative (GBI) will help cities along El Camino through this PID process.   
 

 

 

Phase 1: Corridor Gaps & Needs

Phase 2: Corridor Alternatives & Trade-offs 

Phase 3: Preferred Alternative and Corridor Plan 

Timeframe 

Spring 2025 

Winter 2025 

Summer 2026 

Goal 

Build community awareness and analyze current conditions 

Present on corridor improvement alternatives and highlight trade-offs for community and stakeholder input 

Select preferred alternative, to be implemented and begin Caltrans process  

 

Fact Sheets

FAQs

Interactive Map

Review comments submitted to the interactive map during the first phase of engagement.