City Council
March 15, 2022
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Edward D. Reiskin FROM: Ryan Russo
City Administrator Director, Oakland
Department of
Transportation
SUBJECT: 8th Street Functional Classification
Change
DATE: February 18, 2022
City Administrator Approval Date:
RECOMMENDATION
Staff Recommends That The City Council Adopt A Resolution Approving The Submittal Of A Functional Classification Change For Local Streets And Roads To The State Of California Department Of Transportation To Change 8th Street From Wood To Market Street From a Minor Arterial to a Local Street.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Adoption of the proposed resolution will approve the submittal of a Functional Classification change for 8th Street from Wood to Market Street, as shown in Attachment A, to the State of California Department of Transportation. A Functional Classification change would change the designation of this portion of roadway from a Minor Arterial to a Local Street, which will support additional changes to enhance safety along that corridor.
BACKGROUND / LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
8th Street from Wood to Market Street is functionally classified as a Minor Arterial. Minor Arterials are defined as a roadway for trips of moderate length, often providing intra-community continuity and may carry local bus routes. In the past, 8th Street used to provide a complete connection between West Oakland, downtown, and Eastlake prior to the construction of the Cypress Freeway, I-980, and Laney College. Each of these projects resulted in a diminished role for 8th Street as a through street. Prior to these projects, 7th Street and 8th Street were a major couplet, doing the work that is now mainly done by 7th St.
Roads classified as Local Streets account for the largest percentage of all roadways in terms of mileage. They are not intended for use in long distance travel, do not generally encompass bus routes, and are often designed to discourage through traffic.
Mar 3, 2022
Edward D. Reiskin, City Administrator
Subject: Resolution Approving a Functional Classification Change for Local Streets to the State of California, Department of Transportation
Date: February 18, 2022 Page 2
City Council
March 15, 2022
The upcoming 8th Street West Oakland Traffic Calming Project will install traffic calming elements like speed humps, traffic circles, and crosswalk upgrades to reduce unsafe driving, speed, and crashes along the 8th Street corridor from Pine to Market Street. More information can be found on the project website https://www.oaklandca.gov/projects/8th-st-project.
Changing the functional classification of the 8th Street Corridor would enable these changes.
Incorporated cities are responsible for initiating requests for changes to the functional classification of streets and roads under their jurisdiction.
ANALYSIS AND POLICY ALTERNATIVES
Today, 8th Street from Wood to Market Street primarily serves local traffic, is not a transit corridor, and the adjacent land use is primarily residential. Since 8th Street in West Oakland no longer serves the function of a Minor Arterial, changing the functional classification of the roadway to a Local Street will support additional changes to enhance safety. These subsequent changes – including traffic calming and a lower speed limit and are being coordinated through the 8th Street West Oakland Traffic Calming Project.
Making this Functional Classification change would therefore promote the Citywide priorities of 1) holistic community safety, and 2) vibrant, sustainable infrastructure
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no fiscal impacts associated with the proposed changes.
PUBLIC OUTREACH / INTEREST
Staff coordinated with stakeholders including the Safe 8th Street Advocacy Group, Prescott Neighborhood Council, and Acorn Neighborhood Council. Input from stakeholder meetings and online surveys is being collected and evaluated as the design develops for the 8th Street West Oakland Traffic Calming Project.
COORDINATION
This report and legislation have been reviewed by the Office of the City Attorney and the Budget Bureau.
SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES
Economic: The reclassification of 8th Street from a Minor Arterial to a Local Street will support the construction of neighborhood traffic calming elements that would enhance safety for pedestrians and people on bikes, increasing transportation affordability. Furthermore, the future Edward D. Reiskin, City Administrator
Subject: Resolution Approving a Functional Classification Change for Local Streets to the State of California, Department of Transportation
Date: February 18, 2022 Page 3
City Council
March 15, 2022
construction contract will create job opportunities for residents through the City’s Local Business Enterprise/Small Local Business Enterprise contracting requirements.
Environmental: The appropriate roadway functional class designation is crucial since the functional classification dictates how the roadway should operate and what sort of traffic control and traffic calming elements would be appropriate.
Race & Equity: 8th Street from Wood Street to Market falls in regions with medium, high, and highest equity priority per the OakDOT Geographic Equity Toolbox. Reclassifying 8th Street to a Local Street would prioritize the roadway for residents and local traffic rather than thru traffic.
This will result in greater mobility, accessibility and safety to pedestrians, bicyclists, non- motorized modes, and will support persons with disabilities, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant accessibility and children, to access schools, jobs, recreational facilities and other services.
ACTION REQUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Staff Recommends That The City Council Adopt A Resolution Approving The Submittal Of A Functional Classification Change For Local Streets And Roads To The State Of California, Department Of Transportation As Presented In Attachment A For 8th Street From Wood To Market Street.
Edward D. Reiskin, City Administrator
Subject: Resolution Approving a Functional Classification Change for Local Streets to the State of California, Department of Transportation
Date: February 18, 2022 Page 4
City Council
March 15, 2022
For questions regarding this report, please contact Jason Cook, Transportation Engineer at OakDOT, Safe Streets, at (510) 238-7272.
Respectfully submitted,
Ryan Russo
Director, Department of Transportation
Reviewed by:
Fred Kelley, Assistant Director
Department of Transportation
Reviewed by:
Megan Wier, Division Manager
Safe Streets, Department of Transportation
Reviewed by:
Jason Patton, Senior Transportation Planner
Safe Streets, Department of Transportation
Prepared by:
Jason Cook, Transportation Engineer
Safe Streets, Department of Transportation
Attachments (1):
A: Proposed Functional Classification Change