State approves another $4 million for Marina Bay underpass

The California Transportation Commission approved more than $4 million in funding Thursday for an underpass on Marina Bay Parkway.

The allocation was the second major decision this month in favor of the project. On Sept. 17, the state finance department restored $29 million dollars for the underpass. If either allocation had gone against the city, the future of the project could have been in jeopardy, said Chadrick Smalley, the project manager.

Thursday’s ruling was in response to a letter sent by Smalley on Sept. 19 to Sylvia Fung, a local associate engineer at Caltrans. In the letter, Smalley asked the agency for additional funds for the project.

According to the letter, the cost for construction of the project has increased by $4.2 million due to rising costs of materials and labor, costs for local and state compliance, and a contracting bid that was “substantially over the engineer’s estimate.”

The underpass is seen as essential because trains crossing in the South Richmond Shoreline area can block neighbors and residents from accessing the Marina Bay area.

Members of the Marina Bay Neighborhood Council signed petitions and put pressure on State Senator Loni Hancock and State Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner to make sure the underpass was funded.

“It is incredible how strong the community support has been,” Smalley said. “The community support made it possible.”