Final Phase Of Sunnyside Stormwater Basin To Start In July

SAN RAFAEL, CA – The final phase of the Sunnyside Stormwater Detention Basin is moving forward, officials announced, despite a delay with the construction of the Winship Bridge replacement.

The basin will be a key component of the San Anselmo Flood Risk Reduction project, which aims to improve public safety for properties along Fairfax Creek/San Anselmo Creek in Ross Valley. It is located at 3000 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard near Fairfax.

The first phase of the basin project was completed in November 2020, about a month ahead of schedule. The final phase of work is expected to begin in July and will complete the excavation of the basin and will construct embankments around it. It is expected to wrap up by the end of the summer.

The timing of the flood district's work hinges on the removal and reconstruction of the Winship Bridge, which is downstream in the Town of Ross. Due to a recent federal funding shortfall for the bridge project, the timing has been delayed.

The delay has allowed San Anselmo to extend the public input phase for the creekside park design, allowing residents to refine the vision.

The overall San Anselmo project is being funded by an $8.7 million state grant from the Department of Water Resources and funds from Flood Control Zone 9.