Ohlone Greenway Safety Improvements Project

The goals of the Ohlone Greenway Safety Improvements Project are to upgrade a portion of the existing multi-use pathway, from Virginia Gardens to the south to Santa Fe Avenue to the north. The upgrades aim to better accommodate the needs of all users and improve safety, especially at roadway intersections and at night.

Upgrades will focus on the following:

• Improving safety of pathway/roadway intersections, including more clear sightlines, at seven intersections – Virginia Gardens, Cedar Street, Rose Street, Hopkins Street, Peralta Avenue, Gilman Street, and Santa Fe Avenue.
• Widening the pathway to a minimum of 12 feet where feasible to better separate users of different speeds (e.g., pedestrians and bikes).
• Improved connection at pathway gap on Peralta Avenue, including wayfinding (signage) and traffic calming feature(s).
• Enhanced pathway lighting to improve safety and security of pathway users at intersection approaches, benches, and other locations where potential security issues exist.
• Landscaping work to trim back and/or remove vegetation to increase effectiveness of lighting and to improve visibility and security.

As of November 2023, the project schedule is as follows:

• August 2022 – March 2023: Conceptual Design phase, including public survey and public meeting
• April 2023 – July 2023: Project on hold due to lack of staffing
• September 2023: Conclude Conceptual Design phase
• September 2023 – mid-2024: Detailed Design phase
• Late-2024 – Late-2025: Construction (assuming necessary additional funds are secured)

References

• City of Berkeley Bicycle Plan

Funding Source

The Ohlone Greenway Modernization and Safety Project is funded by $1.271 million from the Alameda County Measure F Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF) Program and $425,000 from Measure BB direct local distribution funds.  The funds are administered by Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC).  The City received this grant funding by way of a County-wide competitive application process in 2021.  The construction phase has not yet been fully funded; additional funding is needed. City staff are actively seeking funding to bridge the funding gap, which would allow the project to be constructed.

The Project is being designed by a professional engineering design consultant, procured under Alameda CTC’s Local Business Contract Equity (LBCE) Program, which is intended to provide opportunities to small and local businesses to help accomplish Alameda CTC’s purchasing objectives, under the oversight of a City of Berkeley project manager.

• Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF)
• Measure B & BB