Oakland-Alameda
Estuary Bridge
Project Initiation Document (PID) Phase
City Council Update
November 21, 2023A New Bicycle-Pedestrian Connection
1 CONCEPTUAL RENDERING
A deficient and inequitable State Route 260
Almost one mile-long underground
paths in Posey and Webster Tubes
are not the solution
• Extremely narrow path (3’)
• Loud noise from adjacent
traffic
• Unpleasant
• Inadequate
2 Equity
• Reduce vehicle trips traveling
through equity priority communities
• Improve health by reducing air
pollutants in EPC’s and promoting
increased physical activity
• Reduce greenhouse gas
emissions with shift away from
single-occupancy fossil fuel
vehicles
3 Current Phase: Project Initiation Document
A Project Initiation Document (PID) is a
type of Planning Study
Identifies:
• Project scope, cost, and schedule
Key Components:
• High-level engineering and right-of-way
needs
• Expected environmental documentation
and studies
• Identify CEQA/ NEPA lead agencies
• Identify permitting needs
• Identify funding sources
• Outreach summary/future outreach
plans
• Draft Purpose and Need
8 4
Engagement and Input 5
Stakeholder/Equity
Advisory Committee
• Bike/Walk Advocacy
• Boating
• Business
• Cultural
• Disability
• Education
• Environmental Justice
• Environmental/Transporta
tion Advocacy
• Faith
• Health
• Historic
• Homeowners
• Housing Advocacy
• Policy
• Youth
Technical Advisory Committee
• City of Alameda
• City of Oakland
• AC Transit
• Alameda County Transportation Commission
• Alameda County Public Works Agency
• Alameda County Planning Department
• BART
• CA Public Utilities Commission
• Caltrans District 4
• Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority
• MTC
• Port of Oakland
• U.S. Coast Guard
• Union Pacific Railroad
• WETA
estuarybridge.org
Draft Project Purpose
• Reduce the barrier effect of the Oakland Estuary on bicycle and pedestrian travel between western Alameda and downtown Oakland, especially for equity priority communities, by providing a comfortable, ADA-compliant, convenient, and low-stress crossing for people of all ages and abilities
• Improve multimodal connectivity between western Alameda and downtown Oakland to regional transit hubs, major destinations, recreational centers and trails, employment opportunities, and future urban infill projects
• Encourage mode shift away from single-occupant motor vehicle cross estuary trips to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
• Provide a zero-cost estuary crossing for equity priority communities and environmental justice communities in western Alameda and downtown Oakland that reduces local air pollutants and promotes positive health outcomes
• Increase resiliency to climate change and disaster recovery by providing an additional estuary crossing
6 6
• Corridors west of
Alameda Landing -
Conflict with Port of
Oakland’s Reach 6
• Corridors east of Estuary
Park – Redundant with
Park Street Bridge
• Final study area: Reach
6 to Estuary Park
Project study area defined
7 ▪ Easements in
Estuary
▪ Constraints in
Oakland
(Waterfront
development
and marinas)
▪ Constraints in
Alameda
(Waterfront
development
and marinas)
Constraints in Study Area
8 REACH 6 (PORT OF OAKLAND)
115kV EASEMENT
(AMP)
WATERLINE EASEMENT
(EBMUD)
WATERLINE EASEMENT
(EBMUD)
STATE ROW
(CALTRANS)
Top 3 Least-Constrained Corridors 9
EASTERN CORRIDOR
CENTRAL CORRIDORWESTERN CORRIDOR
ALAMEDA
OAKLAND
Key Planning Considerations:
1. Usage. Excellent connections, short approaches,
and a small grade change
➢ Higher usage
2. Waterfront Compatibility. Shorter approaches
and smaller towers
➢ Less impacts and more opportunities to
complement existing waterfront uses
3. Maritime Traffic. Greater clearance over the water
and longer spans
➢ Less impacts on maritime uses of the estuary
A bridge that works for all 10
12 Alternatives Considered in Alternatives Analysis 11
W1
W2
W3
W4
W5
W6
C1
C2 C3
C4 E1
E2
ALAMEDA
OAKLAND
Purpose and Need
• Barrier Effect
• Multimodal Connectivity
• Mode Shift
• Health outcomes
Screening Criteria Applied to Alternatives 12
Design/Placemaking
• Touchdown and Urban Design
• Navigability
• Stakeholder Buy-In
• User Experience
Environmental
• Displacement
• 4(f)
• Hazardous Waste
• Cultural Resources
• Biological Resources
3 Top Alternatives 13
3 Top Alternatives being evaluated in PID 14
Washington-Fifth (W4) Broadway-Fifth (W6) Estuary Park-Alameda Park (E2) Common Features of All:
• 40’ above water (vertical clearance)
• 400’ span (horizontal clearance)
All Scored Relatively High:
• High usage
• High physical and social quality landings
- civic open space (JLS and parks)
• Large curves without loops
• Shorter approaches
Washington-Fifth (W4) 15
CONCEPTUAL SKETCH
OAKLAND
ALAMEDA
Broadway-Fifth (W6) 16
CONCEPTUAL SKETCH
OAKLAND
ALAMEDA
Estuary Park-Alameda Park (E2) 17
CONCEPTUAL SKETCH
OAKLAND
ALAMEDA
• Much support for the project: for commuting, recreating, accessing services
• Would greatly enhance Bay Trail connection
• Concerns from boaters and marinas about disruption of sailing and races
• Coast Guard navigational clearance requirements
• Concerns of new waterfront residents about view obstructions • Needs to meet/exceed ADA requirements
TAC and S/EAC Key Feedback to Date 18
PID PAED PS&E Construction
We are here
TAC, SAC, EAC, public meetings
Identify CEQA/NEPA Lead
Complete PID
Public Meeting(s) Draft Circulation of Environmental Document Complete Project Report/Prelim Design
Opening Day
Acquire Right of Way
Secure Permits
Final Design
Outreach updates
Overall Project Schedule
2022 - 2024 2024 - 2027 2028 - 2030 2031 and beyond
Funded Unfunded
Waterway Study
19 • Complete PID
• Determine sponsor
and environmental
lead agencies
• Expand public
engagement
• Develop
implementation
strategy
• Seek funds for next
phase
Next Steps 20
Contact/More Information
City of Alameda Project Manager:
Rochelle Wheeler
Senior Transportation Coordinator
510-747-7442
[email protected]
21 estuarybridge.org