Washington Elementary and Berkeley High School Safe Routes to School Project

The Washington Elementary and Berkeley High Safe Routes to School Project will make several infrastructure improvements to address safety concerns near these two schools located downtown, to provide safer opportunities to walk and bike to the schools.

The project proposes to add curb ramps, high visibility crosswalks, right turn restrictions, pre-timed pedestrian phases and during school travel times, leading pedestrian intervals, yield signs and markings, and improved passenger loading zones adjacent to school entrances to improve pedestrian and cyclist visibility and safety in the project area.

In 2015 and 2017 the Alameda County Safe Routes to School Program conducted two school safety assessments for the two schools respectively. The City of Berkeley used the assessments and other data to apply for Caltrans Active Transportation Program grant funding to complete the proposed improvements. The City of Berkeley is engaging both school communities as well as nearby residents to learn more about how the sidewalks, entrances, curb space, and existing traffic diversion is being used. We hope to identify solutions that we can design and construct to improve safety in the project area.

The project will help the City of Berkeley improve mobility and accessibility; encourage more trips by active transportation modes and transit; improve safety for students, families and community members; and contribute to a healthier environment.