Bike Facility Type
Separated bikeways can offer more robust protection for cyclists but require additional traffic signals and roadway modifications to allow vehicles and cyclists to make left-hand turns safely.
Making Holly Street Safer
For the past decade, the City has sought to make changes to the U.S. 101 interchange in addition to a pedestrian overcrossing, over U.S. 101, south of Holly Street. The City of San Carlos is working with regional partners to pursue improvements for both the mid-term and long-term.
Here’s what’s underway:
Presentation Recording
Alternatives Comparison Overview
The designs contain different options to include bike and pedestrian improvements on Holly St. across U.S. 101, including striped bike lanes and physically separated bike lanes. Various pedestrian improvements are also included, such as improved crosswalks and flashing beacons. Learn more and provide your feedback!
Existing Conditions
Proposed Alternatives
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Alternative |
1 |
2 |
3 |
| Bike Facility Type | Separated Bikeway (curbside) Bike Lanes |
Separated Bikeway (curbside) | Separated Bikeway (center running) Separated Bikeway (curbside) |
| Crossing Improvements | Flashing beacons at on- and off-ramps | • Flashing beacons at on-ramps • Traffic signals at U.S. 101 off-ramps • Bike signals at Shoreway + Industrial |
• Flashing beacons + raised crossings at on-ramps • Traffic signals at U.S. 101 off-ramps • Bike signals at Shoreway + Industrial |
| Lane Reduction | No | Yes | Yes |
| Cost | $3 – 4M | $6 – 8M | $6 – 8M |
| Timeline | 1.5 – 2 years | 5+ years | 5+ years |
| Additional Studies Needed | None | Caltrans Highway Operations Analysis | Caltrans Highway Operations Analysis Caltrans Structural Analysis |
Closer Look at Alternatives
Design concepts and timeline are preliminary and subject to change. Concepts are intended to inform ongoing coordination and discussion as the project evolves.
Community Engagement
Share your feedback – Help us make U.S. 101 / Holly Street Interchange safer!
The City of San Carlos, with financial support from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA), is developing three design alternatives for the U.S. 101/Holly Street corridor. This effort responds to urgent community concerns and focuses on identifying a mid-term solution that provides improvements to bike and pedestrian infrastructure while being feasible and fundable.
While the focus is on mid-term improvements, the City is also advancing long-term visions, including a bike and pedestrian overcrossing over U.S. 101, south of Holly Street.
📍 Drop a Pin
Interactive Map Activity:
🗨️ Provide Your Feedback
Online Survey:
📋 Design Process
About the Design Process:
How will your feedback be used?
The feedback received from the July 2025 Community Meeting will help to identify the preferred design to move forward as the City develops the final design for the Holly Street corridor. Since the U.S. 101/Holly Street Interchangeis owned and managed by Caltrans, the City must obtain approval from Caltrans for the final design that meets engineering standards and requirements.
Key Considerations:
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Right-of-Way Restrictions
The selected design concept must fit within the existing property lines and roadway width of the overcrossing while maintaining minimum required widths for vehicle lanes. This restricts the types of bicycle and pedestrian facilities that can be proposed.
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Lane Reductions
Alternatives 2 and 3 propose reducing the width of vehicle lanes to make more room for enhanced bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
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Approvals Timeline
The timeline to get the final design approved and constructed will depend on the type of bike facility selected. Some bike facilities and safety improvements require longer approvals, design, and construction.
Final Design will be subject to changes from:
The proposed design alternatives and timelines are draft and will be refined as the City finalized the design for approval.
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Caltrans Approval
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Permits Required
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Public Feedback
Next Steps:
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Advance Short-Term Solutions
Caltrans is advancing Short-Term solutions to make immediate changes by end of July 2025.
(Update Signage and install high-visibility crosswalks)
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Review Public Feedback
Project team will review public feedback and comments and update the proposed design alternatives.
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Planning and Transportation Comission
Project team will seek feedback from the Planning and Transportation Commission
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Present to City Council
Project team will present alternatives to City Council to select preferred alternative.
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Apply for Funding
City will apply for funding from the SMCTA to advance Mid-Term solutions.
(If successful, funding can be awarded as soon as December 2025.)
Funded by the San Mateo County Transportation Authority
