Marin Transit is set to construct two new bus stops in Novato and one stop in San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood, filling gaps in the network.

The additions are part of a $2 million project that also includes upgrading 19 bus stops along Marin Transit routes throughout the county.

“It’s always exciting when we can improve bus stops, add new bus stops and invest in our community,” said Marin County Supervisor Eric Lucan, the president of the Marin Transit board.At its meeting on Jan. 13, the board approved a $1.3 million construction contract with Coastside Concrete and Construction Inc. to do the work.

The new stops in Novato will be on Redwood Boulevard at Hill Road to serve patients of the Marin Community Clinics, a nonprofit health care provider for uninsured and low-income residents. One will be in front of the clinic’s campus, while the other will be across the street.

“This has become an increasingly requested stop by our riders, and it used to be a frequently requested stop through Novato Dial-A-Ride,” said Anna Penoyar, Marin Transit’s capital projects manager.

Novato Dial-A-Ride was an on-demand service for areas not served by normal bus routes or paratransit services. It ended in 2023 because of low ridership.

The bus stops at the clinic also will be near a 302-apartment complex that Novato recently approved at Landing Court and Redwood Boulevard.

“So we anticipate these two bus stops will be used heavily by future residents at this development, and of course, be a big benefit to Marin Community Clinics and the people using that facility,” Penoyar said.

Miguel Ruelas, chief development officer of Marin Community Clinics, said the closest bus stop now is at the corner of Redwood Boulevard and Rowland Boulevard, about a half-mile away. There are no sidewalks on that stretch of Redwood Boulevard.

“MCC patients would certainly benefit by having a bus stop on Redwood Boulevard,” Ruelas said.

The new stop in San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood will be constructed at Francisco Boulevard East, southeast of the Medway Road intersection. It will become the first stop in the “Canal loop,” a route from Francisco Boulevard East to Bellam Boulevard to Kerner Boulevard to Canal Street, and down Medway Road back to Francisco Boulevard East.

“Currently, there is no stop at the beginning of the loop,” Penoyar said. “So if you’re a rider, you have to ride through the whole loop before you can get off the bus” on Francisco Boulevard.

Marina Palma, a Canal community leader, said she is grateful to Marin Transit for committing to the new stop.

“I do hope it will benefit a good number of residents to make it to work, school or home on time and safe,” Palma said.

Penoyar said the stop is on property owned by Caltrans, and the cost of the project rose because of technical criteria after a lengthy year-long review.

The board’s approval last week included an amendment to increase the budget $250,000, primarily to cover those costs, Penoyar said.

Other planned improvements include accessibility upgrades at select bus stops to meet standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and to add or replace overhead shelters to offer shade and rain cover.

Bus stops to get new shelters include those at San Marin Drive and San Carlos Way in Novato; Ignacio Boulevard and Sunset Parkway in Novato; College Avenue and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Kentfield; Miller Avenue and Camino Alto in Mill Valley; and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Bon Air Road in Greenbrae.

Bus stops to get accessibility upgrades are at Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Alhambra Circle in Fairfax; Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Oak Manor Drive in Fairfax; Fourth Street and Santa Margarita Avenue in San Rafael; Merrydale Road and North San Pedro Road in San Rafael; and Hamilton Parkway and Aberdeen Road in Novato.

Bus stops getting both accessibility upgrades and new shelters are at Smith Ranch Road and Yosemite Road in San Rafael; North Redwood Drive and Smith Ranch Road in San Rafael; Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and San Anselmo Avenue in San Anselmo; and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Bank Street in San Anselmo. Stops at Tamalpais Drive and Meadowsweet Drive in Corte Madera and at Alameda Del Prado and southbound Highway 101 in Novato are also getting accessibility upgrades and new shelters.

Construction is expected to begin this spring and last through the fall.