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.
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.
The Plan aims to transform El Camino into a safe, inviting, connected, and transit-oriented boulevard.
This project is funded by SamTrans and a Transit Performance Initiative (TPI) grant awarded by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC).
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
Project Area
The Plan focuses on El Camino in the cities of San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos, and a small portion of Redwood City.
For questions, please contact grandboulevard@samtrans.com or 1-800-660-4287.
Connection to other Planning Efforts
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.
Project Timeline
| 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 |
For questions, please contact grandboulevard@samtrans.com or 1-800-660-4287.