MTC Officials Tour Port of Redwood City

MTC Commissioners David Canepa and Gina Papan, who represent the County of San Mateo and the cities of San Mateo County, respectively, joined MTC Executive Director Andrew Fremier and agency staff this week to tour the Port of Redwood City as the Port seeks $186 million in additional funding for a $380 million project to upgrade the nearby U.S. 101 interchange with Seaport Blvd. and State Route 84/Woodside Road.

Built in the 1970s, the interchange is the Port's critical gateway for goods movement, but it can no longer accommodate current traffic volumes. This presents challenges to freight mobility, roadway safety and rail movement.

Port officials say the interchange project will improve highway operations, reduce congestion on US-101 and local streets, support increased freight capacity at the Port and improve safety at train crossings. It also will improve access to the FEMA emergency staging area at the Port and improve accessibility for a planned ferry terminal.

The shovel-ready project already has lined up $122 million in funding commitments. These include $71 million from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority and $8 million through the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) plus a $9 million developer contribution and donated property valued at $29 million.

The Port of Redwood City is a vital economic hub for Silicon Valley. Its strategic location fuels the building industry by moving construction cargo used on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. The Port operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and specializes in bulk, neo-bulk (heavy machinery, lumber, scrap metal, etc.), as well as liquid cargoes. 

While in use since 1851, the Port of Redwood City was founded by city charter in 1937. It's the only deepwater port in the South San Francisco Bay. The Port has more than a mile of waterfront public access, walkways and viewing areas. These include waterfront parks with picnic areas, restrooms, public art and parking.

Other amenities include sailboats, kayaks and personal watercraft available for rent. The Port also offers a public fishing pier and the only public boat launching facility south of Coyote Point with access to San Francisco Bay.