December 2, 2025
DocID #58619v1
Public Works
DATE: December 2, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM: Daniel Chavarria, PE, Director of Public Works
Robert Armijo PE, Deputy Director of Public Works / City Engineer
Hillal Hamdan, Senior Civil Engineer
Subject:
Bayview Avenue Grade Separation Safety & Bike Lane
Improvements Project – UPRR Preliminary Engineering
Services Agreement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed expenditure of $25,000 will be funded with the transfer of unspent funds totaling $37,376 from
Project 29105 37th Street Improvement Close-out in the
General Capital Fund and is included in the approved
Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget. The remaining funds will
be used for unforeseen contingency needs (Account
String: 20136031 – 400733 – 23040).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City must execute a Reimbursement Agreement for
Preliminary Engineering Services with the Union Pacific Railroad Company (UPRR) because the Bayview Avenue
Grade Separation Safety & Bike Lane Improvements
Project impacts UPRR’s track, right-of-way, and
operations. UPRR requires such an agreement to review
plans, inspect existing facilities, and evaluate potential safety and operational impacts before the City may
proceed with design or construction activities involving railroad property.
AGENDA
REPORT
December 2, 2025
DocID #58619v1
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to APPROVE the Preliminary
Engineering Services Agreement with Union Pacific
Railroad Company (UPRR) for the Bayview Avenue
Grade Separation Safety & Bike Lane Improvements
Project; AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director to
execute the agreement and approve minor amendments,
provided the total cost does not exceed $25,000; and
transfer and APPROPRIATE $37,376 in unspent funds
from Project 29105 – 37th Street Improvement Close-out
to Project 23040 – Bayview Avenue Grade Separation
Safety & Bike Lane Improvements Project in the General
Capital Fund – Public Works Department (Hillal Hamdan
510-620-1612/Robert Armijo 510-620-5477).
DISCUSSION:
This project idea originated with a 2019–2023 effort to explore quick-build designs for protected bike lanes on Bayview Avenue overpass over Interstate 580.The overpass has wide shoulders that can be re-striped to include a bike lane buffer with vertical elements that physically separate bicyclists from motor vehicle traffic.
The project creates a safe and comfortable walking and biking route connecting the El Cerrito del Norte BART station to the San Francisco Bay Trail by building upon existing multi-use paths and tying into El Cerrito's Transit-Oriented Development Complete Streets Projects and improving conditions around parks and schools.
The project will install Class II bike lanes on Potrero Avenue and Class IV protected bike lanes on the Bayview Avenue overpass. The project lies entirely within an Equity Priority Community adjacent to and improves access for families using nearby parks, schools, and provides a direct connection between El Cerrito’s San Pablo Avenue Priority Development Area (PDA) and the South Richmond PDA.
The Project affects the Union Pacific Railroad Company’s (UPRR) track, right-of-way, or operations, thereby requiring UPRR review and authorization to ensure coordination with railroad safety and operational requirements. UPRR requires execution of a Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement (“Agreement”) for work to occur prior to approving or permitting any construction that impacts railroad operations or property.
This Agreement for an amount not to exceed $25,000.00, enables UPRR to:
Perform field diagnostics and inspections
Review construction documents (plans, specifications) Evaluate project design specifically for impacts to UPRR facilities and operations Prepare necessary force account cost estimates for any future UPRR-performed work
December 2, 2025
DocID #58619v1
The design phase commenced in March 2025 and is anticipated to conclude in August 2026. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027, subject to UPRR approval, issuance of railroad encroachment permits, and execution of a Construction & Maintenance Agreement. The Agreement is fully funded by the One Bay Area Grant 3 (OBAG3) grant.
City staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the transfer and appropriation of $37,376 in unspent funds from Project 29105 – 37th Street Improvement Close-out to Project 23040 – Bayview Avenue Grade Separation Safety & Bike Lane Improvements in the General Capital Fund (2001) to support the proposed Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) and related contingency needs. Staff further recommends that the City Council authorize the Public Works Director to execute the Agreement in an amount not to exceed $25,000.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution Authorizing UPRR PE Services Agreement – Bayview Ave Grade Separation
Attachment 2 – UPRR Railway Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement