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[Max Rockatansky]

This past November I drove the entirety of CA 37 from I-80 west from Vallejo to US 101 in Novato.  CA 37 has a small freeway segment which was recently upgraded from I-80 west to Mare Island.  The segment of CA 37 west from Mare Island to Sears Point was known as "Blood Alley" before a crossover divider was installed.  From Sears Point CA 37 west to US 101 is a four lane expressway which completed in the 1950s.  CA 37 is one of the original Sign State Routes but it was originally aligned northeast of Sears Point to Monticello via what is now CA 121.  CA 37 between Vallejo and Sears Point was added to the State Highway System as first as CA 48 in 1939 when the Sears Point Toll Road was purchased by the State.  The Sears Point Toll Road had been previously opened in 1928 and wasn't paved until World War II when upgrades were needed due to heavy military traffic to Mare Island.  In the blog below numerous Division of Highways articles pertaining to the history of CA 37 can be found.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2020/01/california-state-route-37-blood-alley.html

[nexus73]

Having driven 37 once to bypass paying bridge tolls (1970's), it seemed to me this highway is in need of a complete rebuilding to freeway standards. 

Rick

[Max Rockatansky]

Having driven 37 once to bypass paying bridge tolls (1970's), it seemed to me this highway is in need of a complete rebuilding to freeway standards. 

Rick

West of Sears Point the biggest issue seems to be flooding near Novato.  From I-80 west to Mare Island the freeway grade is actually pretty solid.  The really tricky part of the segment from Mare Island west to Sears Point.  That segment would likely need to be elevated alone just to avoid flooding much less expansion.  Normally I would say that this would never happen but raising the highway onto a viaduct would probably appeal to environmental concerns over the present causeway system. 

[sparker]

Having driven 37 once to bypass paying bridge tolls (1970's), it seemed to me this highway is in need of a complete rebuilding to freeway standards. 

Rick

West of Sears Point the biggest issue seems to be flooding near Novato.  From I-80 west to Mare Island the freeway grade is actually pretty solid.  The really tricky part of the segment from Mare Island west to Sears Point.  That segment would likely need to be elevated alone just to avoid flooding much less expansion.  Normally I would say that this would never happen but raising the highway onto a viaduct would probably appeal to environmental concerns over the present causeway system. 

Talk has been bandied about regarding simply abandoning/removing CA 37 from Sears Point to Mare Island and constructing a freeway/expressway facility along or paralleling CA 121 (and CA 12 as multiplexed) to CA 29 SW of Napa.  Of course, that would put Vallejo-based commuters at a definite disadvantage, since the entire Vallejo-Napa trip would be about 75% longer than directly via CA 37.  But elevating (and widening to at least 4 lanes in the process) the existing route is (a) raising the hackles of several environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, who primarily want to see the adjacent wetlands restored to their original (pre-SSR 48) condition, and (b) posing an exceptionally costly solution to the problem; a project to deploy a continuous bridge -- or even one broken up by periodic berms -- would likely come with a price tag over $1 billion.  Needless to say, a configuration like that would inevitably be accompanied by tolls -- essentially the only way to pay for the project.  Since the present commute figures show a reasonably captive clientele, adding tolls would probably be accompanied by very vocal pissing & moaning from Marin or Solano commuters -- but may be feasible simply because an alternative through Napa and Schellville to the north would just involve too much commute time & distance, even with the current situation featuring daily backups on 37.  But any prospect of improvement along or adjacent to the current Sears-Vallejo 37 routing will still arouse an outcry from environmental advocates; any chances for such a project will depend upon who has Caltrans' (and the relevant local jurisdictions') ear when actual plans for such are presented. 

[Max Rockatansky]

See that’s the thing raising 37 to a causeway/Viaduct structure would play right into what the Sierra Club and other advocacy groups want.  A limited access facility along 12/121 would be nice but I’d argue that corridor is it’s own separate problem.  Really the biggest obstacle “in theory” would be the need to toll a new route of 37.  As much as I would hope the Sierra Club would be onboard with a raised Highway you’re likely unfortunately right that they probably will push for removal of any roadway, even the existing one. 

[skluth]

I’m fine with an elevated causeway. You see them all over Southern Louisiana and the Mid-Atlantic region. I’m sure elsewhere too. They allow wildlife to live relatively isolated and still allow traffic to flow.

I’d be tempted to take advantage of the shallow water in the bay and move the highway to a causeway from Black Point to Mare Island. The road from Black Point to Sears Point would still be kept, but the bridge and remaining highway from Sears Point to Mare Island could be eliminated.

A good example where this was very effective is VA 164 in Portsmouth VA. It once went through the Port Norfolk subdivision. It now speedily bypasses everything, and both drivers and local residents are happy with the results.

I’m not sure, but relocating the road may also be cheaper than rebuilding it.

[Max Rockatansky]

I’m fine with an elevated causeway. You see them all over Southern Louisiana and the Mid-Atlantic region. I’m sure elsewhere too. They allow wildlife to live relatively isolated and still allow traffic to flow.

I’d be tempted to take advantage of the shallow water in the bay and move the highway to a causeway from Black Point to Mare Island. The road from Black Point to Sears Point would still be kept, but the bridge and remaining highway from Sears Point to Mare Island could be eliminated.

A good example where this was very effective is VA 164 in Portsmouth VA. It once went through the Port Norfolk subdivision. It now speedily bypasses everything, and both drivers and local residents are happy with the results.

I’m not sure, but relocating the road may also be cheaper than rebuilding it.

A good example I’m familiar with is US 41 on the Tamiami Trail being relocated partially onto a Viaduct near FL 997.  Said project apparently will return much of then natural flow of the Everglades southward towards Caps Sable.  I see no reason why a viaduct on 37 wouldn’t have a similar effect.