MEASURE J PEER REVIEW PROCESS
Project Information Form
Project Name: McBryde Av e Safe Routes to Parks
Project Number: Enter Measure J Project No.
Proponent Name: City of Richmond
Please provide the following information:
1. Project Purpose and Need
Define the problem to be solved by the project, and how the proposed project will solve it.
McBryde Ave connects the San Pablo Ave Corridor PDA to Wildcat Regional Park but is overly wide with no bicycling infrastructure and poor pedestrian path of travel. Project will create a safe and comfortable walking and biking route from an existing bike route on 37th Street to the entrance to the park.
2. Project Description
Clearly define the proposed project, including how the needs of bicyclists, pedestrians and transit users are met, consistent with agency policies.
The west edge of the project starts at the existing bikeway on 37th Street. Here McBryde Ave is a two lane road but approaching San Pablo Avenue, eastbound traffic has two 11 ft lanes, a straight-and-left, and a straight-and-right. The straight-and-right lane will be converted to a right-only, and a 5 ft through-bike lane added in between vehicle lanes. Vehicle lanes reduced to 10 ft. Westbound 6 ft bike lane added against curb as no parking is currently allowed. From San Pablo Ave to Humboldt St, existing four-lane road (13 ft wide lanes) will be converted to two 11 ft lanes and a 11 ft center turn median with 5 ft bike lanes with 2.5 ft Measure J Peer Review Process
Project Information Form
Project Name: McBryde Ave Safe Routes to Parks
buffers. Between Humboldt St and Amador St, on the I-80 overpass, parking restrictions make room for a 6 ft bike lane against the curb with a 6 ft buffer including vertical protective elements, flex hit posts and curb stops/armadillos. Two westbound vehicle lanes will be reduced to one, eastbound two vehicle lanes will remain, however at Amador, the straight-and-left lane will change to left-only. From Amador St to Park Ave, similarly the existing 4 lane road (12 ft lanes) will be converted to two 11 ft lanes with 11 ft center turn lane and 5 ft bike lanes with 2.5 ft buffers. Curb ramps will be built along the entire corridor.
Three intersections need redesign to provide a comfortable and safe path of travel for pedestrians. At Glenn Ave, project proposes to close off stub of Glenn Ave and build continuous sidewalk along northwest side of McBryde so that pedestrians do not have to cross over Yuba Ave and Glenn Ave. At Sonoma St, curve in McBryde creates a very wide roadway and confusing/dangerous crossings for pedestrians. Sidewalk will be built out into McBryde Ave to create a more typical intersection geometry. At Park Ave, atypical intersection will be rebuilt with a traffic circle and/or bulb-outs, sidewalk gap will be closed along north side, and curb ramps and high-visibility crosswalks will be built so that pedestrians have a clear and safe path of travel to the adjacent entrance to Alvarado Park.
Approximately 25 street trees will be planted in vacant tree wells and in unused sidewalk planter strips. Stormwater treatment is omitted due to lack of storm drains along the corridor.
3. Project Schedule
Provide Beginning and completion dates for the following activities:
Item Beginning Date Completion Date
Environmental Document 1/2023 12/2023
Final Design stages
Phase 1 (65% Design) 4/2024 9/2024
Phase 2 (90% Design) 10/2024 4/2025
Measure J Peer Review Process
Project Information Form
Project Name: McBryde Ave Safe Routes to Parks
Final Design
Right‐of‐way Engineering and Acquisition 5/2025 9/2025 Utility Relocation 10/2025 4/2026
Construction 5/2026 10/2026
4. Financial Plan
Please attach financial plan that lists proposed funding sources and amounts, including any shortfalls and potential revenue sources to address anticipated shortfalls.
5. Summary Responses
Provide responses to issues raised by Authority representatives or the CCEAC peers in previous reviews (if applicable).
Enter text here
450 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA 94804-1630
Telephone: (510) 307-8091 Fax: (510) 307-8116 www.ci.richmond.ca.us
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
July 15, 2022
Colin B. Clarke, AICP
Associate Transportation Planner, Planning Department
Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA)
2999 Oak Road, Suite 100, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
City of Richmond’s OBAG3 grant application for the McBryde Avenue Safe Routes to Parks Project
Dear Mr. Clarke,
Please find the attachments to our application which includes project maps, detailed budget, striping plan, letters of support, and findings from a walk audit conducted by the Richmond Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
The project will create a safe and comfortable walking and biking route from an existing bike route on 37
th Street, through the San Pablo Ave PDA, and across I-80 to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park.
Improvements include resurfacing, a road diet from 4 to 2 vehicle lanes with a center tun lane and buffered bike lanes, curb ramps, curb extensions, high visibility crosswalks, sidewalk gap closures, traffic calming, and street trees. The project serves an Equity Priority Community and is supported by a number of organizations and agencies.
The total project cost is $1,168,845 of which we are requesting $1,027,947 in OBAG3 funds.
Sincerely,
Patrick Phelan
Infrastructure Administrator
City of Richmond Public Works
510-307-8111
[email protected]
Install Bike Lanes
Reduce 4 Lanes to 2
Add Center Turn Lane
or Medians
Install Bike Lanes
Reduce 4 Lanes to 2
Add Center Turn Lane
or Medians
Install Bike Lanes
Reduce 4 Lanes to 2
Add Center Turn Lane
or Medians
Install Protected Bike Lanes
Build Curb Extensions
to Shorten Crosswalks
at Skewed Intersections
Close Gap in Sidewalk
Install Crosswalks
And Traffic Calming
Install ADA-Compliant Curb Ramps
On Entire Corridor
EAST
RICHMOND
HEIGHTS
80 SAN PABLO AVENUE
PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT AREA
SAN PABLO
R I C H M O N D
WILDCAT CANYON
REGIONAL PARK
AMADOR ST
ANDRADE AVE
NATALIE CT
CASINOAVE
MCBRYDE AVE
SAN PABLO AVE
BERNHARDAVE
HUMBOLDT ST
GLENN AVE
MONTOYA AVE
PARK AVE
ARLINGTONBLVD
YUBAAVE
KIRK LN
VENTURA ST
RAMP
RALSTON
AVE
ESMOND AVE
MARIN
AVE
MCLAUGHLIN ST
SONOMA ST
LASSEN ST
SHASTAAVE
37TH ST
WILSON AVE
BROOKSIDE AVE
JOEL CT
KERN ST
YUBA
ST
GERALD AVE
RIVERSIDE
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
SAINT DAVIDS
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
WILDCAT CREEK
WILDCAT CREEK
RICHMOND WILDCAT
CANYON
McBryde Ave Safe-Routes-To-Parks Project Concept
1 Inch = 325 Feet
0 200 400
Feet
Proposed Curb Extension
Proposed Traffic Circle
Existing Speed Hump
ADA Compliant
Needs Detectable Warning Surface
Build Curb Ramp
Rebuild Non-Compliant Ramp
New Trees
Traffic Signal
City Boundaries
Watercourse
PDA
Parcel Owner
EBRPD
WCCUSD
Existing Bikeways
Class 2 Lane
Class 3 Sharrow
The goal of this project is to provide a safe and comfortable walking and biking route from Wildcat Canyon Regional Park to the amenities and bus service along San Pablo Ave and an existing crosstown bike route on 37th St. Project will improving pavement condition, calm traffic, add audible pedestrian signals, restripe the roadway with bike lanes, and build curb ramps, high visibility crosswalks, and other pedestrian improvements. If funded, design will be finalized with community input, and additional protected bike lanes are possible.
PROJECT LOCATION
WILDCAT
CANYON
REGIONAL PARK
RICHMOND
CITY HALL
CENTER
R I C H M O N D
EL CERRITO
SAN PABLO
80 LINCOLN AVE
PINE AVE
HELLINGS AVE
ALFREDA BLVD
ANDRADE AVE
ALLEY
ESMOND AVE
ARLINGTON
BLVD
EMERIC AVE
BUSH AVE
MARKET AVE
SUTTER AVE
BONITA
RD
RHEEM AVE
LOWELL AVE
BARRETT AVE
SANPABLOTOWNE CTR
GARVIN AVE
MACDONALDAVE
HAZEL AVE
COSTA AVE
GLENN AVE
38TH ST
23RD ST
MARINA WAY
MORAN AVE
PENNSYLVANIA AVE
RUMRILL BLVD
SOLANO AVE
ZARA AVE
PARK AVE
EDW
ARDS
AV
E
35TH ST
22ND ST
POST AVE
MESAWAY
BERNHARD
AVE
SILVA AVE
N ARLINGTON BLVD
GRANT AVE
RALSTON
AVE
HIGHLAND
AVE
CARQUINEZ
AVE
PLYMOUTH
AV
E
BEAU
RIVAGE
ALPINE RD
MONTE CRES TA AVE
BURBECK AVE
KERN ST
YUBA ST
WILDCAT CANYON PKWY
ROOSEVELT AVE
VILLADR
YALE AVE
37TH
ST
DOREMUS AV
E
W
ILLOW
RD
HAYES ST
MOUNTST
DOWNER AVE
KIRK LN
POR
TOLA
AVE
PATTERSO
N
CIR
33RD
ST
ZINN ST
34TH ST
CERRITO AVE
24TH ST
SANFORD AVE
28TH ST
30TH ST
YUBA
AVE
SIERRA AVE
DIM
M
ST
13TH ST
26TH ST
CALIFORNIA AVE
20TH ST
MARIN
AVE
WILSON AVE
36TH ST
19TH
ST
CLINTON AVE
VALERD
AMADOR
ST
NEVIN AVE
CHURCH LN
HOWARDST
SONOMA ST
MARICOPA AVE
TULARE AVE
M
IRA
VISTA
DR
15TH ST 17TH ST
14TH
ST
18TH ST
KEY
BLVD
MONTEREY
AVE
CASINOAVE
25TH ST
FRANCISCO
W
AY
VILLAGEWAY
32ND
ST
43RD ST
31ST ST
42ND ST
16TH ST
21ST ST
ROSE ARBOR AVE
27TH ST
JOEL CT
29TH ST
41ST ST
HUMPHREY AVE
DUNN AVE
COALINGA AVE
GAYNOR AVE
40TH ST
44TH ST
CALIFO
RNIABLVD
39TH
ST
MCLAUGHLIN ST
VISALIA AVE
WILCOX AVE
CIVIC CENTER ST
TISBURY
LN
WENDELL AVE
DIMM
WAY
VENTURA STLASSEN ST
TULLER
AVE
HUMBOLDT ST
VENTURA AVE
CARLSTON
ST
FELIX
AVE
BAYO
VISTA
AVEHILLC
REST
RD
W
ILDC
AT
C
REEK
TRL
M CBRYDE AVE
SAN PABLO AVE
SA
N
PAB
LO
DAM
RD
RICHMOND
WILDCAT CREEK
EAST RICHMOND
HEIGHTS
RICHMOND WILDCAT
CANYON
McBryde Ave Safe-Routes-To-Parks Project Context
1 Inch = 1,250 Feet
0 0.15 0.3
Miles
Equity Priority Community
Priority Development Area
Transit-Rich Outside HRA
Parks/Public Areas
City Boundaries
Watercourse
BART Track
AC Transit Bus Line
Proposed Bikeways
Existing Bikeways
Class 1 Path
Class 2 Lane
Class 3 Sharrow
Class 3 Boulevard
City of Richmond
OBAG3 Grant Application
McBryde Avenue Project Estimate
Item Unit Unit Cost Quantity Total Grant Ask Local Match Paving SF 1.90$ 100,100 190,190$ 95,095$ 95,095$ Slurry SF 0.50$ 76,790 38,395$ 19,198$ 19,198$ Pavement Asphalt Concrete Repair SF 12.00$ 535 6,420$ 6,420$ Crack Seal (10% of slurry area) SF 0.15 $ 7,679 1,152$ 1,152$ Curb Ramp EA 7,000.00$ 30 210,000$ 210,000$ Street Tree EA 200.00$ 25 5,000$ 5,000$ Curb Extension EA 25,000.00$ 2 50,000$ 50,000$ Sidewalk SF 25.00$ 350 8,750$ 8,750$ Sidewalk Repair SF 30.00$ 300 9,000$ 9,000$ Traffic Circle EA 25,000.00$ 1 25,000$ 25,000$ D11‐1 sign + pole EA 900.00$ 8 7,200$ 7,200$ Wayfinding Sign EA 500.00$ 8 4,000$ 4,000$ Traffic Study EA 30,000.00$ 1 30,000$ 30,000$ RPM Detail 10 LF 2.00$ 100 200$ 200$ RPM Detail 30 LF 2.00$ 1,174 2,348$ 2,348$ RPM (Detail 33) LF 2.00$ 3,093 6,186$ 6,186$ Thermo ‐ 6" Stripe (Detail 39) LF 1.50 $ 10,689 16,034$ 16,034$ Thermo ‐ 6" Stripe (Detail 39A) LF 1.50 $ 1,400 2,100$ 2,100$ Thermo ‐ 8" Stripe (Detail 38) LF 2.00 $ 161 322$ 322$ Thermo ‐ 8" Stripe (Detail 38A) LF 2.00 $ 327 654$ 654$ Thermo ‐ 12" Stripe (W/Y) LF 3.00$ 1,310 3,930$ 3,930$ Thermo ‐ Pavement Markings SF 8.00 $ 1,560 12,480$ 12,480$ D2‐1 (Direction Sign ‐ 1 Line) EA 900.00$ 1 900$ 900$ Surface Mounted Channelizer EA 300.00 $ 11 3,300$ 3,300$ Rubber Lane Separator EA 200.00$ 11 2,200$ 2,200$ Traffic Control LS 75,000.00$ 1 75,000$ 75,000$ Subtotal 710,760$ 596,468$
Construction Contingency LS 15% 1 106,614 $ 106,614$ Construction Total 817,374$ 703,082$
Staff Time LS 5.0% 1 40,869 $ 26,000$ 14,869$ Design LS 10.0% 1 81,737 $ 70,000$ 11,737$ Mobilization LS 10.0% 1 81,737 $ 81,737$ ‐ $ Construction Management LS 18.0% 1 147,127 $ 147,127$ ‐ $ Grant Total 1,168,845$ 1,027,947$ 140,899$
Local Share % 12.05%
P:\Dept\PS-Eng-WasteWater\Engineering - Staff\Keelan Jones\XR_STRIPING MCBRYDE ALT II CALTRANS_rev 1.dwg 14 Jul 2022 1:56:46pm bustamJ
July 8, 2022
Joe Leach, PE
Public Works Director
City of Richmond
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
SUBJECT: City of Richmond’s One Bay Area Grant application
Dear Mr. Leach,
I am writing to offer my support for the City of Richmond’s One Bay Area Grant (OBAG3) application for the McBryde Avenue Safe Routes to Parks Project.
McBryde Avenue is a proposed bike route in the city’s Bicycle Master Plan and provides direct access to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. Currently the road has no bicycle facilities, insufficient pedestrian accommodation, and four vehicle lanes, creating an environment solely suited to car travel. This project will transform the corridor by reducing the four vehicle lanes to two while adding a center turn lane, bike lanes, and pedestrian improvements such as ADA-compliant curb ramps, curb extensions, high visibility crosswalks, and sidewalk gap closures. Bike lanes will have buffers and physical protection where possible without removing existing parking. Vehicle traffic flow will be maintained by making modifications to the three traffic signals along the route.
The McBryde Avenue project fulfills many of the goals of the grant program and responds to the public’s safety concerns and requests for better infrastructure for non-vehicular travel. The project corridor is in or adjacent to Equity Priority Communities and crosses the San Pablo Avenue Corridor Priority Development Area (PDA). The project will improve and maintain local streets to meet the needs of all users while improving safety, promoting walking, biking, and other micro-mobility, and sustainable infrastructure.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact either of us at [email protected] or
[email protected].
Sincerely,
Sean Dougan, Trails Program Manager Katy Hornbeck, Grants Manager East Bay Regional Park District East Bay Regional Park District
John Gioia (say “Joy-a”)
District One
Board of Supervisors
Contra
Costa
County
11780 San Pablo Avenue, Suite D
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Phone: (510) 231-8686
Fax: (510) 374-3429
Email: [email protected] ● Website: www.cocobos.org/gioia
EAST RICHMOND HEIGHTS ◊ EL CERRITO ◊ EL SOBRANTE ◊ KENSINGTON ◊ MONTALVIN MANOR NORTH RICHMOND ◊ PINOLE ◊ RICHMOND ◊ ROLLINGWOOD ◊ SAN PABLO ◊ TARA HILLS
July 8, 2022
Joe Leach, PE
Public Works Director
City of Richmond
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
Dear Mr. Leach,
I am writing in support of the City of Richmond’s One Bay Area Grant (OBAG3) application for the McBryde Avenue Safe Routes to Parks Project.
McBryde Avenue is a proposed bike route in the city’s Bicycle Master Plan and provides direct access to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. Currently the road has no bicycle facilities, insufficient pedestrian accommodation, and four vehicle lanes, creating an environment solely suited to car travel. This project will transform the corridor by reducing the four vehicle lanes to two while adding a center turn lane, bike lanes, and pedestrian improvements such as ADA-compliant curb ramps, curb extensions, high visibility crosswalks, and sidewalk gap closures. Bike lanes will have buffers and physical protection where possible without removing existing parking. Vehicle traffic flow will be maintained by making modifications to the three traffic signals along the route.
The McBryde Avenue project fulfills many of the goals of the grant program and responds to the public’s safety concerns and requests for better infrastructure for non-vehicular travel. The project corridor is in or adjacent to Equity Priority Communities and crosses the San Pablo Avenue Corridor Priority Development Area (PDA). The project will improve and maintain local streets to meet the needs of all users while improving safety, promoting walking, biking, and other micro-mobility, and sustainable infrastructure. Thank you for considering this project.
Sincerely
,
John Gioia
District One
Board of Supervisors
CITY OF SAN PABLO
Public Works Department
1000 Gateway Avenue ● San Pablo, CA 94806
Main: 510-215-3060 ● Fax: 510-215-3013
www.SanPabloCA.gov
July 13, 2022
Joe Leach, PE
Public Works Director
City of Richmond
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
Re: Support for the City of Richmond’s McBryde Avenue Safe Routes to Parks Project
Dear Mr. Leach,
I am writing to offer my support for the City of Richmond’s One Bay Area Grant Cycle 3 application for the McBryde Avenue Safe Routes to Parks Project.
McBryde Avenue borders the City of San Pablo between Kern Street and Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. Currently the road has no bicycle facilities, insufficient pedestrian accommodation, and four vehicle lanes, creating an environment solely suited to car travel. To my understanding, this project will transform the corridor by reducing the four vehicle lanes to two while adding a center turn lane, bike lanes, and pedestrian improvements such as ADA- compliant curb ramps, curb extensions, high visibility crosswalks, and sidewalk gap closures.
Bike lanes will have buffers and physical protection where possible without removing existing parking. Vehicle traffic flow will be maintained by making modifications to the three traffic signals along the route.
This McBryde Avenue Safe Routes to Parks Project will support safe bicycle and pedestrian travel to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park for residents of both the cities of San Pablo and Richmond. Additionally, these improvements along McBryde Avenue connect with the bicycle boulevard recommended on Marin Avenue in the San Pablo Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (2017). The City of San Pablo appreciates the efforts by the City of Richmond to collaborate and engage with San Pablo neighbors in the effort to create safer streets for all.
Best regards,
ALLAN A. PANGANIBAN, P.E.
Public Works Director / City Engineer
July 14, 2022
Joe Leach, PE
Public Works Director
City of Richmond
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
Re: City of Richmond’s One Bay Area Grant (OBAG3) application for the McBryde Avenue Safe Routes to Parks Project
Dear Mr. Leach:
I am writing to offer my support for the City of Richmond’s One Bay Area Grant (OBAG3) application for the McBryde Avenue Safe Routes to Parks Project.
McBryde Avenue is a proposed bike route in the city’s Bicycle Master Plan and provides direct access to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. Currently the road has no bicycle facilities, insufficient pedestrian accommodation, and four vehicle lanes, creating an environment solely suited to car travel. This project will transform the corridor by reducing the four vehicle lanes to two while adding a center turn lane, bike lanes, and pedestrian improvements such as ADA-compliant curb ramps, curb extensions, high visibility crosswalks, and sidewalk gap closures. Bike lanes will have buffers and physical protection where possible without removing existing parking. Vehicle traffic flow will be maintained by making modifications to the three traffic signals along the route.
The McBryde Avenue project fulfills many of the goals of the grant program and responds to the public’s safety concerns and requests for better infrastructure for non-vehicular travel.
The project corridor is in or adjacent to Equity Priority Communities and crosses the San Pablo Avenue Corridor Priority Development Area (PDA). The project will improve and maintain local streets to meet the needs of all users while improving safety, promoting walking, biking, and other micro-mobility, and sustainable infrastructure.
PO Box 1736, Oakland, CA 94604
510 845 RIDE (7433) • [email protected]
Sincerely,
Dave Campbell
Advocacy Director
Bike East Bay
(510) 701-5971
[email protected]
PO Box 1736, Oakland, CA 94604
510 845 RIDE (7433) • [email protected]
July 13, 2022
Joe Leach, PE
Public Works Director
City of Richmond
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
RE: OBAG3 Application for McBryde Avenue Safe Routes to Parks Project Dear Mr. Leach,
I am writing on behalf of the Richmond Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee to offer our enthusiastic support for the City of Richmond’s One Bay Area Grant (OBAG3) application for the McBryde Avenue Safe Routes to Parks Project.
McBryde Avenue is a proposed bike route in the city’s Bicycle Master Plan and provides direct access to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, which includes Alvarado Park, with its popular playground and picnic areas. The city’s Pedestrian Plan identifies McBryde Avenue east of San Pablo Avenue as a good candidate for a road diet (p. 21), and lists it as a priority project. McBryde Avenue currently has no bicycle facilities, insufficient pedestrian accommodation, and four vehicle lanes, creating an environment solely suited to car travel.
This project will transform the corridor by reducing the four vehicle lanes to two while adding a center turn lane, bike lanes, and pedestrian improvements such as ADA-compliant curb ramps, curb extensions, high visibility crosswalks, and sidewalk gap closures. Bike lanes will have buffers and physical protection where possible without removing existing parking. Vehicle traffic flow will be maintained by making modifications to the three traffic signals along the route.
The McBryde Avenue project fulfills many of the goals of the grant program and responds to the public’s safety concerns and requests for better infrastructure for non-vehicular travel. The project corridor is in or adjacent to Equity Priority Communities and crosses the San Pablo Avenue Corridor Priority Development Area (PDA). The project will improve and maintain local streets to meet the needs of all users while improving safety and will promote walking, biking, and other micro-mobility, with sustainable infrastructure.
The Richmond BPAC is a resident-led advisory group that considers topics related to bicycling and walking in Richmond and makes recommendations to Richmond City staff and elected officials, among other activities to promote walking and bicycling in and around Richmond. Our members conducted walk and bike audits for this project and are enthusiastic to help make this a reality.
In service to community,
Catalin Kaser, Chair
Richmond Bicycle / Pedestrian Advisory Committee
[email protected]
www.rbpac.org
Joe Leach, PE
Public Works Director
City of Richmond
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
Dear Mr. Leach,
Rich City Rides supports the City of Richmond’s One Bay Area Grant (OBAG3) application for the McBryde Avenue Safe Routes to Parks Project.
Founded in 2012, Rich City Rides was founded to create opportunities for the most vulnerable members of society to use cycling to improve health, economic stability, and individual and collective capacity while increasing the use of bikes for all community members as a sustainable social green mode of transportation. Rich City Rides aims to be the hub, nest, and incubator for community bicycling for sustainable transportation, physical and mental health, and human-to-human connections. We envision Richmond as a world-renowned bicycling community known for its bike-friendly neighborhoods and its worker-run businesses which are owned and operated by historically marginalized residents and families.
We support this project in it's efforts to help bring this vision forward.
McBryde Avenue is a proposed bike route in the city’s Bicycle Master Plan and provides direct access to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. Currently the road has no bicycle facilities, insufficient pedestrian accommodation, and four vehicle lanes, creating an environment solely suited to car travel. This project will transform the corridor by reducing the four vehicle lanes to two while adding a center turn lane, bike lanes, and pedestrian improvements such as ADA-compliant curb ramps, curb extensions, high visibility crosswalks, and sidewalk gap closures. Bike lanes will have buffers and physical protection where possible without removing existing parking. Vehicle traffic flow will be maintained by making modifications to the three traffic signals along the route.
The McBryde Avenue project fulfills many of the goals of the grant program and responds to the public’s safety concerns and requests for better infrastructure for non-vehicular travel. The project corridor is in or adjacent to Equity Priority Communities and crosses the San Pablo Avenue Corridor Priority Development Area (PDA). The project will improve and maintain local streets to meet the needs of all users while improving safety, promoting walking, biking, and other micro-mobility, and sustainable infrastructure.
In conclusion, we believe this project is very advantageous and beneficial to the city and its citizens. The McBryde Avenue Safe Routes to Parks Project is a tremendous resource for the whole community. We know that these funds will be spent effectively and judiciously. Rich City Rides will help and support this grant in any way we can.
www.richcityrides.org | Rich City Rides | 1500 MacDonald Ave Unit C, Richmond, CA 94801| 510.255.0625 | [email protected]
Sincerely,
Najari Smith
Executive Director
Rich City Rides
www.richcityrides.org | Rich City Rides | 1500 MacDonald Ave Unit C, Richmond, CA 94801| 510.255.0625 | [email protected]
EAST RICHMOND NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
July 15, 2022
City of Richmond
Engineering & Capital Improvement Projects
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
Via Email: [email protected]
Re: Support for McBryde Safe-Routes-To-Parks
Dear Mr. Phelan,
We enthusiastically support the McBryde Safe-Routes-To-Parks proposal and hope that the City’s grant application is successful.
While passing out flyers describing the project to neighbors on McBryde, a neighbor with a small child came out of the house to talk to me about the need for walking, bicycling, and traffic improvements along this wide and busy avenue. As you know, other neighbors have written in support of funding for this project.
The project’s objectives to improve the pavement condition, calm traffic, modify traffic signals, add audible pedestrian signals, restripe the roadway with bike lanes, and build curb ramps, high visibility crosswalks, and other pedestrian improvements are just what are needed to provide a safe route on McBryde Avenue to Wildcat Canyon Park. Families and people of all ages visit the park regularly. This plan will increase safety in general on McBryde Avenue and make it safer and more attractive to bike and walk to the park. If the project is successfully funded, we also appreciate that the City will provide opportunities for further community input.
Thank you for developing this project proposal and let us know if there is anything else we can do to to assist the McBryde Safe Routes project to become a reality.
Sincerely,
Jim Hanson
President, East Richmond Neighborhood Council
Walk Audit for Alvarado Park from West of San Pablo Ave Date: 6-24-22
In attendance (in case this is useful for the grant-writing):
● Art Peterson, retired, age 77, c ompletely blind for over a decade, life-long resident of the area, member of RBPAC
● Ann Killebrew, retired, member of RBPAC
● Catalin Kaser, 54, school teacher, chair of RBPAC
Summary of route:
We walked from the SW corner of 31st Street and Esmond, across Esmond, north on the west side of 31st up to McBryde, then along the south side of McBryde.
We walked up the south (which becomes the west, as it turns) side of McBryde all the way to Park Ave to Alvarado Park. We returned on the north side of the street all the way to 31st Street.
Approximate distance: 1.1 mile each way
Rationale: The North&East neighborhood is highly residential, and the route along McBryde is the likely route for many families with children, and people of all ages and abilities, to get to the park. Additionally, families from the Belding Woods Neighborhood might also choose McBryde as their main point of crossing San Pablo to get to Alvarado Park. Finally, our blind member, Art, lives near 31st and Esmond, so we started from there.
Focus: Sidewalks and Intersections
We looked at the route with special attention to its accessibility to (a) blind or sight-impaired people, (b) people using mobility devices including wheelchairs and walkers, (c) children who would be using the sidewalk, whether in strollers pushed by parents, or small ride-on devices like bikes and trikes, or walking.
On this walk, we did not consider the needs of adult or children bicyclists who would be using the streets.
GENERAL COMMENTS
McBryde seems subjectively much wider than it needs to be for traffic volume. It would be good to get some data to confirm this. It’s important to note that many drivers take McBryde east over the freeway, then left (north) on Amador to reach San Pablo Dam Road into El Sobrante or to get on I-80 heading north. McBryde east of Amador is particularly overbuilt (wider than it needs to be for existing traffic).
Another noticeable aspect of McBryde iis that the intersections from Amador up to the Alvarado Park are all designed to keep cars flowing without stopping or particularly slowing down, which makes all the intersections particularly perilous for sidewalk users.
AREAS OF GREATEST CONCERN
1. McBryde/Park/Marin area, near the entrance to the park (See Map 2)
First: We walked on the south/southwest side of McBryde toward the park. Where the forward direction becomes Park Ave and McBryde veers off to the southwest, there is no way from the sidewalk to cross the street to get to the park. Cars continuing forward onto Park have a stop sign, but the curve of McBryde to the east is really blind curve. Traffic does not stop in either direction between the two sections of McBryde. The sidewalk here along the curve is also very narrow.
See photo and video of Art Peterson, with his cane, standing on the sidewalk. A wheel user would be as much at a loss.
Second, there is a crosswalk across Park Ave to the park entrance. Unfortunately, the park entrance, beautifully redone, with stone/slate, is not at all wheel-friendly. The curb is not ramped, and the entrance has only stairs leading down. A wheel user would need to travel out into the street, then squeeze around the gate that closes the driveway into the park that is used by park vehicles. It would be great if EBRPD could add a welcoming entrance for wheeled users.
Third, the northwest side of Park/McBryde is not pedestrian friendly. The park office and the next residence create essentially a long stretch of street with no sidewalk. When the sidewalk does start, it does not have a ramp. There are usually personal vehicles parked on the street here too, which makes it difficult to even see when the sidewalk begins. This sidewalk seemed narrow, particularly where there was a lot of tall vegetation along the fenceline.
Further, that sidewalk curves around to the Marin intersection, with no stop sign or controlled stop for cars. Because of the “cars should be flowing” type of street design, the crossing of Marin is extremely long. So, no curb ramps, no stop for cars turning right onto Marin from McBryde, and the distance to cross is long.
Heading into the park from this side of McBryde would pose problems crossing here as well.
Note: the border of San Pablo is partway down this block, so this is very definitely an inter-city cooperation zone.
2. McBryde/Glenn/Yuba/Sonoma (this is where McBryde curves significantly (See Map 3) Sonoma/McBryde (south side of McBryde):
Designed for high car volume and speed. No clear indication for blind pedestrian about where to cross.
**Note from Art: These long crossings and irregular geometry make it really difficult for blind pedestrians to aim accurately to the other side. On normal rectangular-grid streets, a blind walker can be guided accurately by the sounds of parallel traffic on even a long crossing, but a lot of the street geometry near the park is, unfortunately, a little whacky. **
Glenn/Yuba/McBryde triangle:
We walked southwest along the northwest side of McBryde. There is no safe way to cross Glenn at all, though that would be the most direct way to stay on McBryde. Instead, we walked along the curved sidewalk onto Glenn until we got to the Glenn/Yuba intersection. Our aim was to get back on McBryde.
In order to do this using curb ramps, we had to cross Yuba on the north side of Glenn, then cross Glenn on the west side of Yuba, then curve around a small section of sidewalk on Yuba to reach McBryde. The curb ramp on Glenn at Yuba is behind the stop line for traffic, so essentially pedestrian are directed into unstopped traffic to access the ramp.
Note: the border of San Pablo is on Glenn before Yuba, so we technically had to enter and exit San Pablo in order to continue on our way down McBryde. A definite opportunity/need to collaborate with the City of San Pablo on improving this route.
Crossing McBryde Ave at Yuba:
Yuba continues on to the south of McBryde, and this would be a route that neighbors in that part of Richmond would want to take. There is an existing crosswalk on the west side of Yuba, just two simple white stripes across an incredibly wide street. I personally have sometimes run across that intersection (while out for a run), but I would not be comfortable walking children across it, and I didn’t suggest walking Art across it.
3. McBryde/San Pablo Ave intersection (See Map 4)
Crossing San Pablo Ave on south
On this walk, we crossed San Pablo from west to east on the south side of the intersection, from the La Loma market to the gas station. Art was used to listening for the traffic patterns, which he has to rely on because there are no audible signals. When we got across the street, we had to walk across the gas station driveway, which felt uncomfortable, like a car could whip into us from either San Pablo or McBryde.
**Note from Art: The traffic pattern here is: 2-way through traffic on SPA, 1-way east-bound McBryde, 1- way west-bound McBryde, then back to 2-way through traffic on SPA. Worthy of note is that not only are the two traffic directions of McBryde offset, but the intersection itself is physically offset! Of course, there is no way to fix the latter. **
Gas stations on corners are designed in a particular way that allows cars to enter from all directions, but this design also leaves pedestrians very vulnerable. In this case, it feels extra so.
Crossing San Pablo Ave on north
On this walk, we crossed San Pablo on the north from east to west, on our return home from the park.
There are photos of Art and me crossing this street. There is a car in the outside southbound lane that is stopped partially in the intersection as we cross with the light. That highlights the tendency of cars turning right (west) onto McBryde from San Pablo to do so without properly stopping. Again, this intersection’s safety would be improved with audible signals.
Additionally, the crosswalk buttons are set a far distance from the crosswalk curb.
Crossing McBryde on west
We did not make this crossing on this walk, but it is an unnecessarily wide crossing (as is evidenced in the aerial view) and made more dangerous by cars turning from SPA onto McBryde at a high speed.
Crossing McBryde on east
We did not make this crossing on this walk, but it is worth noting that perhaps the lovely tree-filled median in the block of McBryde immediately to the east of San Pablo could be extended to provide a refuge island for pedestrians but is not currently designed that way.
4. McBryde/Amador crossings and bridge over freeway
Sidewalks over the freeway felt narrow, and in some cases there were signage poles making them even more narrow. Offset crossings across Amador are not signed in a way that someone unfamiliar with the route would know that there were crosswalks ahead. The audible signal for crossing the freeway off ramp was not very audible over the freeway traffic.
OTHER NOTES:
From Art Peterson:
Next time you are at the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and 23rd Street in San Pablo, please note that there is a cane-detectable raised guide strip across SPA because there is NO traffic that runs parallel to the crosswalk. Near Walter Helms there is some kind of a blind facility. A small, inexpensive detail that makes a huge difference; I commend the city for thinking of this. I noticed the strip when I still had vision, and I quickly figured out why it was there. Perhaps it could have application at Alvarado Park?
From Catalin:
At the entrance to Alvarado Park, we talked to a couple who were leaving. They said they were retired and that they live just a little bit too far to walk to the park, but enjoy coming to the park regularly. The feedback they had was that the park itself needs more benches to make it more accessible to elderly people. They said it applies to all the parks in Richmond, and specifically brought up the Bay Trail as not having enough benches to stop and rest at. They talked about a friend of theirs who takes “bench walks” around Lake Merritt.