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Front Street Active Transportation Project

Image of a small town's main street with shops and restaurants

What’s Happening

The Front Street (Highway 116) Active Transportation Project is led by Sonoma Public Infrastructure (SPI) and includes transportation improvements within the Caltrans right-of-way between Mirabel Road and Covey Road in Forestville. The project consists of modifications to existing pedestrian crossings, installation of rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), associated curb ramp upgrades to meet current ADA standards, Class II bicycle lanes where feasible, transit stop modifications, and targeted sidewalk improvements.

The project is currently in final design coordination and encroachment permitting with Caltrans.

How We Got Here

Highway 116 through Forestville serves both regional and local transportation functions. The corridor carries daily vehicular traffic, including freight and agricultural vehicles, while also providing access to residences, businesses, transit stops, and the West County Trail.

In 2022, Sonoma County retained W-Trans to prepare a corridor study evaluating potential improvement concepts for this segment of Highway 116. The study incorporated public workshops and town hall meetings and considered adopted County and Caltrans planning guidance.

Following that study, two projects advanced separately:

Front Street Improvements (downtown segment)
Mirabel Road Improvements (separate project)

Corridor Information

According to the Caltrans 2023 Traffic Census, average annual daily traffic volumes at or near the Highway 116 and Mirabel Road intersection range from approximately 10,000 to 12,000 vehicles per day. The corridor accommodates a mix of passenger and commercial vehicles consistent with state highway operations.

Publicly available collision records from the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), as summarized through UC Berkeley’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS), indicate 19 reported collisions within this segment between 2014 and 2025, including one fatality and multiple severe injuries.

The project includes the following elements within the existing roadway footprint:

Marked pedestrian crossings with associated curb ramp upgrades
Class II bicycle lanes where right-of-way permits
A bus pull-out near the park
Targeted sidewalk reconstruction
Minor lane configuration adjustments consistent with applicable Caltrans standards

The project does not include full roadway reconstruction or pavement rehabilitation.

What’s Next

The County is currently:

Addressing remaining review comments
Finalizing design details
Coordinating with Caltrans on encroachment permitting

Construction may begin following permit approval. SPI will coordinate with local businesses, adjacent property owners, and the Mirabel Road project to manage construction timing and access.

Timeline

2018–2023: Community town halls and corridor study development
2022: W-Trans corridor study completed; concept plans introduced
2023–2025: Preliminary engineering, design refinement, and Caltrans coordination
2026 (anticipated): Final permit approval and potential construction start (dependent on Caltrans approval)
2027–2028 (anticipated): Construction completion
2029 (separate project): Caltrans Capital Preventive Maintenance pavement project (Sebastopol to Monte Rio)

Public Meeting Materials

Get Involved

Questions? Contact Jovanna Quezada at Jovanna.quezada-montano@sonomacounty.gov.