Officials uncertain when flooded westbound Highway 37 lanes may reopen

Crews are out on the regional roadway trying to come up with solutions for the troubled east-west connector just a week after the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge also required an extended closure.|

A broken levee on private property in Novato closed westbound Highway 37 for the morning rush-hour drive Friday, creating major concerns that still-rising water levels spilling onto the North Bay commuter artery could stretch in a multi-day closure spanning the holiday weekend.

Combined with last week’s nine-hour closure of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge due to falling concrete, the impact to the troubled 21-mile highway between Novato and Vallejo has officials emphasizing the need for investing in the region’s critical infrastructure.

“What it really shows, especially after a week ago with closure of the bridge, is how important Highway 37 is as east-west connector for the North Bay,” said Sonoma County Supervisor David Rabbitt, who has appointed posts overseeing the region’s transportation issues. “We need to continue moving forward as quickly as possible on both a short-term fix to alleviate both congestion and closures, but also long-term fix of really making the road more resilient to high water bay level rise. But it is of course a matter of dollars.”

CHP, Caltrans and crews with Marin County Public Works’ flood control and water division were trying to come up with answers as of Thursday night. The rush of water also washed out nearby railroad tracks used by a freight operator, which will require an estimated two weeks to repair.

What public safety and transit officials know already is that for the second time in two years, the problematic roadway, which is susceptible to the high tides of the adjacent San Pablo Bay, was again the victim of heavy rainfall that pushed the Novato Creek past its barriers to overtake the asphalt. The question now, namely for motorists looking to get home and begin their extended weekends, is how long it might remain closed.

“It’s kind of an evolving situation at this point,” said Julian Kaelon, spokesman for Marin County Public Works. “This is not a quick fix, and something that has to be assessed by all agencies for the best course of action. It’s not a simple solution at all.”

CHP could not offer an update on when the westbound lanes may be reopened. The number of contributing factors, from the sheer volume of water, drainage and busted levee, made it hard to tell if the highway would need to remain closed for more than Friday, said CHP Officer Andrew Barclay.

“It would be impossible to say with any certainty,” he said. “We would however encourage people to plan for that in case it does become a reality.”

You can reach Staff Writer Kevin Fixler at 707-521-5336 or kevin.fixler@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @kfixler.

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