ABOUT
Why is this project important?
The Complete Streets improvements are intended to catalyze and support transit-oriented development by creating a safe and comfortable environment that balances the needs of all street users. These improvements will directly serve an MTC-designated Priority Development Area, which was established in 2007, and Community of Concern, around the Del Norte BART Station by improving pedestrian and bicyclist safety and access to housing and a key transportation hub.
The letters for support for this project acknowledged that due to its proximity to I-80, one of the most congested interstate freeways in the nation, this station serves as the de facto "end-of-the-line" station. Given these conditions, the transportation impacts in the San Pablo Avenue del Norte area are intense. The project will both offset some of these impact as well as continue to help encourage mode-shift to walking, biking and taking transit.
Project Area
The project is located on several streets in the El Cerrito del Norte area including San Pablo Avenue from the Ohlone Greenway near the northern city limit to Potrero Avenue, Cutting Boulevard from I-80 to Key Boulevard, Eastshore Boulevard from Potrero Avenue to San Pablo Ave., Hill Street from San Pablo Ave to Liberty Street, and Knott Ave from San Pablo Ave to Key Boulevard. San Pablo Avenue from Potrero Avenue to Cutting Boulevard and Cutting Boulevard from San Pablo Avenue to I-80 are part of State Route 123. A portion of Eastshore Boulevard near the intersection of Potrero Avenue and the I-80 EB off-ramp is also within Caltrans right-of-way.
Project Design
The project will provide enhanced and protected crosswalks, context-sensitive bikeways, and bus boarding islands along with vehicle circulation improvements. Specific improvements include:
New Bikeways
San Pablo Ave between Knott Ave & Hill Street
Cutting Blvd between I-80 & Key Boulevard
San Pablo Ave between Hill Street & Potrero Ave
Enhanced Bikeway on Eastshore Blvd.
Class III Bikeways:
Hill Street
Knott Ave
San Pablo Ave (North of Knott Ave)
Protected Intersection Treatments for Bicyclists:
San Pablo Ave/Cutting Blvd Intersection
San Pablo Ave/Hill Street/Eastshore Blvd Intersection
New Protected and Complete Crosswalks:
San Pablo Ave/Knott Ave Intersection
San Pablo Ave/Cutting Blvd Intersection
San Pablo Ave/Hill Street/Eastshore Blvd Intersection
Pedestrian Hybrid Signals:
San Pablo Avenue/Wall Avenue
Cutting Boulevard/Peerless Avenue Intersection
In-lane Bus Boarding Islands along San Pablo Avenue (between Cutting Blvd & Potrero Ave)
High-visibility continental striping, with access provided by directional curb ramps at crosswalks.
Flashing beacons and traffic calming measures at crosswalks at the I-80 on-ramps.
Sidewalk improvements with curb extensions at selected locations.
Travel lanes with reduced widths to calm vehicle speeds.
Reduction in turning lanes/auxiliary lanes and conversion of one-way to two-way streets to provide more direct vehicular access to BART Station and better accommodate all street users.
Modification of San Pablo Ave/Hill Street/Eastshore Blvd intersection for inbound traffic only (no outbound traffic except for right-turns out) to the shopping center driveway (Peerless Avenue) to better accommodate all street users.
Traffic Signal Modifications, Optimization, and Transit Signal Priority to better accommodate all users:
San Pablo Ave/Cutting Blvd Intersection
San Pablo Ave/Hill Street/Eastshore Blvd Intersection\
San Pablo Ave/Knott Ave Intersection
Streetscape improvements including pedestrian-level lighting, landscaping, signage, trash & recycling receptacles, benches and bike racks.
Project Funding
The project is funded by the federal One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) 2 program, Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA’s) Measure J Transportation for Livable Communities Grant program, and various other sources as shown below:
