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.

The design intends to minimize impacts to existing trees. The project team, which includes a consulting arborist and The City's Urban Forestry Department, collaborated to catalogue and assess the health and sustainability of existing trees along the pathway. The approximately 90 trees in the assessment were labeled with numbered metal tags, which are referenced in the project arborist's report and in the project plans. Some trees in poor condition that are relatively close to the pathway are planned to be removed. These trees are depicted in the Final Conceptual Plan, dated November 15, 2023, available below under "Documents". New trees are planned to be planted at a minimum 1-to-1 replacement ratio as depicted in the Trees Planting Plan from the public information meeting from February 22, 2023, available below under "Past Events". The project design is continuing to develop more fully and once finalized, will be made available to the public.

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 July 2025, 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 – July 2025: Detailed Design phase
• January 2026 – December 2026: Construction

References

• City of Berkeley Bicycle Plan

Funding Source

The Ohlone Greenway Modernization and Safety Project is funded in part by $1.271 million from the Alameda County Measure F Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF) Program 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 is funded in part by a $3 million Safe Routes to BART grant received in 2024 through a competitive application process. The remaining project costs are provided through Alameda CTC Measure B and Measure BB direct local distribution funds.

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