The Transportation Authority of Marin is helping to rescue a San Rafael path project that was hamstrung over the summer when the Trump administration rescinded a $1.9 million federal grant.

The agency’s board has approved a funding shift to ensure that the city continues its plan to construct the new route along the SMART Civic Center train tracks.

The adjustment doesn’t close the funding gap of the estimated $3.4 million project, but it helps position the plans for construction.

“TAM’s swift decision to adjust local funding will keep this project on track,” said San Rafael Mayor Kate Colin, a member of the Transportation Authority of Marin board. “This crossing isn’t just an infrastructure upgrade, it’s important to our city as it connects the neighborhood safely to jobs, transit, school and the Civic Center. I am very grateful to TAM for stepping in and showing a commitment to safely and local connectivity.”

The project is in the Rafael Meadows neighborhood, which is south of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit train tracks and isolated on the west side of Highway 101. Venetia Valley School students who live in the neighborhood and walk or bike are forced to travel along busy North San Pedro Road to reach their destination.

It’s one of the primary reasons the city has made the connection a priority project.

The $1.9 million in federal funding was part of the Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program, a companion to the Reconnecting Communities pilot program. The programs were part of President Biden’s “investing in America” agenda. In March 2024, the government announced approximately $3.3 billion in grants to 132 projects across the nation.The Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program was among federal programs rescinded by Trump’s “big beautiful bill” when it was signed into law on July 4.

The city received a call from Federal Highway Administration officials on July 14 notifying the staff that the grant was canceled, officials said.

The city had secured $3.38 million total for the project, including the now-canceled grant, and $250,000 in local gas tax dollars.

The Transportation Authority of Marin had also previously approved about $1.2 million in Measure AA and Measure B tax dollars. Of that, about $120,000 supported pre-construction design and planning activities. The remaining $1 million or so was allocated for construction.

After learning that the federal grant was canceled, San Rafael officials proposed that the Transportation Authority of Marin redistribute the entire $1.2 million to support pre-construction activity to keep up momentum with the project. Otherwise, the city only had $120,000 for planning and design, stalling the project.

City officials said this would enable the plan to progress, while at the same time, allowing officials to apply for competitive grants from regional and state programs.

A Transportation Authority of Marin executive committee endorsed the plan at a Sept. 8 meeting.

“I was very excited to see this on the agenda,” said Marin County Supervisor Mary Sackett, who represents San Rafael and serves on the Transportation Authority of Marin board. “I think the Rafael Meadows neighborhood is going to be very pleased. They were disappointed to hear the funding was pulled back.”

Warren Wells, policy and planning director for the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, said he was happy to see San Rafael pursue a way forward, despite the loss of federal support, and that the Transportation Authority of Marin was amenable to the change.

The funding move was finalized at the Transportation Authority of Marin board meeting on Sept. 25. It still leaves a $1.9 million funding gap for construction.

“At some point they will have to seek funding for construction, but until that time we were glad to be able to support them in advancing the project,” said Anne Richman, executive director of the agency. “It’s a good connection between the east and west side of the freeway, parks and schools and the civic center and providing better access.”