# Highway 37 Project Draws Criticism Over Toll Plan and Environmental Impacts
The ongoing Highway 37 improvement project connecting Novato to Vallejo has become a focal point of debate among Marin County residents and North Bay commuters.
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As the project advances through the California legislature, concerns have emerged regarding the proposed toll system, environmental impacts, and the equitable distribution of costs.
The widening of a notoriously congested section of the highway promises relief for daily commuters from San Rafael, Novato, and other Marin communities.
Questions remain about who will bear the financial burden of these improvements and how the sensitive wetland ecosystems along the route will be protected.
Understanding the Highway 37 Widening Proposal
The Highway 37 corridor serves as a critical east-west connection for North Bay residents, including thousands from Mill Valley, Corte Madera, and Larkspur who commute to Solano County.
The current proposal focuses primarily on expanding the bottlenecked two-lane section between Novato and Vallejo, which has long created frustrating traffic delays for Marin County commuters.
Key Project Elements and Timeline
According to transportation officials, the project has evolved significantly since the original environmental impact report was approved in 2023.
The latest Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report addresses several concerns raised by residents from Tiburon, Sausalito, and other southern Marin communities about potential impacts to the delicate San Pablo Bay wetlands that border the highway.
The project represents one of the largest infrastructure investments in the North Bay in decades, with particular significance for Novato residents who experience the bottleneck daily.
The widening is designed to address both current congestion issues and prepare for projected population growth throughout Marin County and surrounding regions.
Controversy Over Proposed Toll System
Perhaps the most contentious aspect of the Highway 37 improvement plan is the proposed toll collection system.
At recent public meetings in Novato and San Rafael, residents expressed significant concerns about the fairness of the proposed funding mechanism.
Equity Concerns for Marin Commuters
Critics of the toll plan, including many from Fairfax, San Anselmo, and Ross, argue that the financial burden would disproportionately affect lower-income workers who commute from affordable housing areas to jobs throughout the North Bay.
Unlike other regional toll routes, Highway 37 serves communities with wider economic diversity.
“We need to ensure that this vital infrastructure improvement doesn’t create an undue burden on working families from Novato and northern Marin who depend on this corridor daily,” stated one concerned resident at a recent public forum in Novato.
Environmental Considerations and Public Input
The ecological significance of the wetlands surrounding Highway 37 cannot be overstated, as residents from Belvedere and Strawberry have repeatedly emphasized at public meetings.
The highway’s proximity to sensitive habitat areas requires careful planning and mitigation strategies.
Public Engagement Opportunities
A series of public meetings have been scheduled throughout Marin County to discuss the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report. These sessions provide opportunities for residents from:
Transportation planners emphasize that public input from across Marin County will be crucial in refining the project. Feedback will help address both traffic congestion and environmental protection goals.
Residents are encouraged to participate in upcoming meetings. Community members can review the environmental documentation to ensure their perspectives are considered.
Here is the source article for this story: Highway 37 project between Novato, Vallejo gets a push in CA legislature
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