Ignacio Boulevard / Bel Marin Keys / Nave Drive

The interchange at Ignacio Boulevard and Nave Drive is in the city of Novato. Drivers use the interchange to get to nearby neighborhoods and shops, the Bel Marin Keys, and several nature preserves. TAM’s study found several features at the interchange that could be improved, including short acceleration and merge lengths for the on-ramps, incomplete pedestrian pathways, and nonstandard shoulder and lane widths. These and other limitations are described in the Existing Conditions, Constraints, and Opportunities Report below.

Interchange Improvements

TAM proposes several improvements for the interchange to make it easier and safer to access Highway 101 and improve the flow of traffic. Proposed projects include restriping and widening the freeway. To gain an important understanding of the interchange area, the study examined the following:

  • Existing Infrastructure
  • Transit Routes and Intermodal Connectivity
  • Weekday AM & PM Peak Period Congestion
  • Crash Type and Severity
  • Environmental Constraints

 

Many of the study’s recommended changes will make the interchange easier to use for drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and people using public transit. The proposals will also increase safety at the interchanges and on surrounding streets and pathways, allowing for smoother travel to, from, and across Highway 101 and local roads.

The near-term concept focuses on improving traffic on local streets. The existing traffic signals on Ignacio Boulevard will be upgraded and interconnected, existing bike paths will be extended, and the crosswalks will be realigned and be provided with direct ADA ramps for access.

The long-term concept will expand on projects in the near-term proposal and includes a proposal to widen the Ignacio Boulevard overcrossing. The wider overcrossing will allow for the addition of a new multi-use path to make it easier and safer for pedestrians to cross over US 101. A second westbound left-turn lane onto the southbound on-ramp will also be added to the overcrossing.

Public and Agency Input

Between March and April 2021, TAM surveyed residents of Marin County to collect input about the 12 selected interchanges. More than 2,750 people responded to the survey. The survey was launched to gather the public’s thoughts and priorities on improvements to the interchange. TAM has incorporated the feedback we received to ensure the project reflects community values and preferences.

In the survey, 53 people commented on Ignacio Boulevard/Bel Marin Keys/Nave Drive. Residents rated the level of importance for eight potential improvements on a 5-point scale ranging from not important to most important. The interchange report includes a summary of the survey results and comments.

Most respondents said reducing traffic congestion in the area is the most important improvement to this interchange.

Reduce traffic congestion

0 %
Low
Importance
0 %
No
Opinion
0 %
High
Importance

Make it easier to drive to and from this interchange

0 %
Low
Importance
0 %
No
Opinion
0 %
High
Importance

Make it safer to bike around this interchange

0 %
Low
Importance
0 %
No
Opinion
0 %
High
Importance

Make it safer to walk around this interchange

0 %
Low
Importance
0 %
No
Opinion
0 %
High
Importance

Improve lighting and security

0 %
Low
Importance
0 %
No
Opinion
0 %
High
Importance

Improve the quality and access to bus stops near this interchange

0 %
Low
Importance
0 %
No
Opinion
0 %
High
Importance

Improve environmental sustainability and resiliency

0 %
Low
Importance
0 %
No
Opinion
0 %
High
Importance

Increase Park and Ride capacity

0 %
Low
Importance
0 %
No
Opinion
0 %
High
Importance

" Pre-pandemic, on weekday mornings it was often congested driving along Ignacio heading East. Those going South on 101 toward San Francisco would queue up in the right lane, holding up those of us who want to go North. If you could add a lane on the right going to 101 South only, that might ease the congestion. "

Comments regarding this interchange?
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