Highway 37 is battening down the hatches—thanks to Assembly Bill 697, which was signed into law this week by Gov. Gavin Newsom, clearing the path for fortifying a 10-mile stretch along the San Pablo Baylands from Sears Point to Mare Island and widening the lanes in both directions.
Caltrans will lead the $500 million project; its first of three phases is planned to begin in late 2026. The project is expected to improve traffic flow between Marin, Sonoma and Solano counties, while keeping rising waters at bay from expected sea-level rise. Meanwhile, long-term plans to raise a full 21 miles of the highway from Novato to Vallejo are still being formalized.
The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), also calls for replacement of the Tolay Creek Bridge and the creation of a tolled eastbound lane. The highway is used by around 40,000 commuters on a daily basis.
