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. 

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). 

Share Your Input

Interactive Map

Do you walk, bike, roll, drive, or take transit on El Camino Real between San Mateo and Redwood City? Help us improve transportation and safety on El Camino by sharing your concerns and ideas. The interactive map is open from now through July 18.

Past Community Engagement

Friday, July 04, 2025 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
San Mateo July 4 Celebration Pop Up
Location: San Mateo Central Park
50 E 5th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401

Sunday, June 22, 2025 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Belmont Summer Music Series
Location: Twin Pines Meadow
1225 Ralston Ave, Belmont, CA 94002

Monday, May 19, 2025 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
San Carlos Caltrain Station
Location: San Carlos Caltrain Station
599 El Camino Real, San Carlos, CA 94070

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