Proposed Marina-Salinas corridor aims to make commute faster, safer

As the communities grow, some say traveling between Marina and Salinas can be a nightmare.

To make the commute faster, and safer, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County is designing plans to fix current issues, something local cyclists welcome.

“Dangerous,” said Bear Bikes owner Bryan Williams.

That’s how he describes the cycling commute between the two cities.

“There’s a lot of traffic, and not a lot of shoulder on it,” said Williams.

Williams actually goes twenty minutes out of his way, through Castroville, if he wants to bike to Marina.

Another cyclist just stopped biking that way altogether.

“Well, I used to ride that direction, but there’s just so much traffic on Davis Road,” cyclist Bruce Bean said. “Davis Road is very narrow. So when you’re on Davis Road, and there’s that much traffic, it’s pretty intimidating.”

The Transportation Agency of Monterey County wants to fix that fear. They’re reaching out to the public with their Marina-Salinas Multimodal Corridor Conceptual Plan.

“We’re planning for rapid, reliable, frequent bus service,” TAMC Transportation Manager Ariana Green said. “We’re also planning for comfortable and safe regional bike routes, and safer pedestrian crossings.”

The multimodal corridor would connect the area of Lincoln and Alisal in Salinas to South Davis Road, Reservation Road, Imjin Parkway, then to the Ford Ord Dunes area.

Part of the plans include an update to Davis Road. Project leaders are working with the county to make the road safer. There are plans to create four traffic lanes, and a two-way bike lane on one side.

Other parts of the Marina-Salinas Multimodal Corridor Conceptual Plan include new bus stations, exclusive bus lanes, and buffered bike lanes.

Williams says he’s excited that change is in the works, but adds “maintenance” of the corridor and proposed bike paths is also key.

“If it doesn’t stay clean, it’s kind of worthless.”

The plans are in the early stages. The next step is to secure funding. If the project goes through, it’s expected to be implemented over the next twenty years.

There’s a second public meeting on the plan in Marina on Thursday, Oct. 16. It’s at Shoreline Center Conference Room, 249 10th St., Marina from 6 – 8 p.m.