City implements quick-build improvements, seeks funding for major corridor upgrades, and advances street resurfacing projects
The City of Alameda is taking significant steps to improve road safety, with a focus on high-risk areas and fatal crash sites.
Improvements at Fatal Crash Sites
The Fatal Crash Response Program, launched in 2023, has already implemented improvements at Lincoln Avenue and 9th Street, where a motorcyclist died in a collision.
“Quick-build improvements narrowed the travel lanes approaching the intersection, extended the existing bulbouts with additional bollards and added red curbs,” the City stated in their latest Vision Zero Update. These changes aim to reduce vehicle speeds and enhance visibility for all road users.
Lincoln Avenue, identified as a High Injury Corridor, is slated for further upgrades. The city is seeking a $20 million federal grant for the Lincoln/Marshall/Pacific Corridor Improvements project. An additional $3 million federal budget earmark request could bring early improvements to five intersections, including 9th and Lincoln. A successful $375,000 state budget earmark will fund design work for these intersections, along with stormwater modeling and infrastructure design.
The Fatal Crash Response Program is expanding its reach. This fall, the city will construct pedestrian crossing improvements at three intersections on Mecartney Avenue. Additionally, safety enhancements at Walnut Street and Lincoln Avenue are scheduled for the coming weeks.
Street Resurfacing and Safety Improvements
Alameda’s Annual Street Resurfacing Project is currently underway, focusing on the area between Grand Street and High Street. The project, set to conclude in September, includes 1.6 miles of Central Avenue, another High Injury Corridor.
Beyond pavement maintenance, the resurfacing project incorporates various safety features. Residents can expect new marked crosswalks, paint-and-post bulb-outs, and two-stage bike turn boxes throughout the affected areas.
Cycling infrastructure is also receiving attention. The City has added new delineators to the existing cycle track on Clement Avenue from Minturn to Willow, preventing vehicles from entering the bike lane.
Construction is progressing on the full Clement Avenue project, which will extend the two-way separated bike lane and add traffic calming measures from Grand Street to Broadway.
Other Projects
The Central Avenue Safety Project is making progress. After receiving final construction approval from Caltrans in June, the City advertised for construction bids in early July. Officials plan to present a construction contract to City Council for approval on September 17. This $23 million project includes traffic calming measures, protected bikeways, pedestrian crossing improvements, and Alameda’s first three modern roundabouts.
At 2015 Grand Street, the former Pennzoil site, developers have paved the Clement Avenue extension. This new segment fills a crucial gap in the Cross Alameda Trail. The northside, two-way separated bike lane will open to the public within a year, coinciding with the completion of the development’s first phase.
In late June, Pan Am Way reopened as a complete street, featuring new sidewalks, bikeways, and protected intersections. This upgrade supports Alameda’s Food Bank and the West Midway development, set to open later this summer.
The City is also planning for the future of its Neighborhood Greenways. A community survey, which has garnered over 745 responses, will close next week. The results and an implementation plan will be presented to the Transportation Commission on August 28 and to the City Council on September 17.
In 2024-2025, the Slow Street segments of Pacific Avenue, San Jose Avenue/Morton Street, and Versailles Avenue will transition to Neighborhood Greenways. The Pacific Avenue conversion will be the first to take place.
