April 1, 2025
Public Works
DATE: November 18, 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, PE, Senior Civil Engineer
Subject:
Real estate agreements with property owners and City of Richmond, I-80/Central Avenue, Interchange
Improvements (phase 2) Project.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funding for the required right-of-way acquisitions is included in the existing project budget through previously appropriated State Transportation Improvement Program
(STIP) and Subregional Transportation Mitigation
Program (STMP) funds. No additional General Fund
appropriation is required as a result of the recommended action (Account String: 15436431 – 400706 – 29110).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The I-80/Central Avenue Interchange Improvements
(Phase II) Project involves right-of-way acquisitions
necessary to relieve traffic congestion, improve
multimodal circulation, and enhance access along the
Central Avenue corridor. These acquisitions are also
required to obtain Caltrans Right-of-Way Certification
prior to construction funding authorization and to maintain project funding eligibility and schedule commitments. City Council approval is needed to accept and record these
right-of-way acquisitions to keep the project on track for construction.
AGENDA
REPORT
April 1, 2025
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to ACCEPT the required right-of-way
acquisitions, including easements and grant deeds, for
the I-80/Central Avenue Improvements (Phase II) Project and AUTHORIZE the City Manager or designee to
execute all necessary documents and DIRECT the City
Clerk to record executed instruments with Contra Costa
County - Public Works Department (Hillal Hamdan 510-
621-1612/Robert Armijo 510-620-5477).
DISCUSSION:
The City of Richmond, in coordination with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), City of El Cerrito, Caltrans, and the West Costa Transportation Advisory Committee (WCCTAC), is advancing Phase II of the I-80/Central Avenue Interchange Improvements project. This long-standing regional project is intended to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility along Central Avenue near the I-80 freeway ramps.
The four closely spaced intersections along Central Avenue between Jacuzzi Street and Pierce Street currently lack sufficient vehicle storage capacity to accommodate peak travel demands, especially on weekends, resulting in delays, spillback, and blocked freeway access. Improving traffic operations and circulation in this area has been identified as a priority to support efficient local access, regional travel, and goods movement.
Phase I improvements have been completed. Phase II will improve traffic flow in the corridor by restricting left turns and removing the existing traffic signal at Pierce Street and Central Avenue, while maintaining right-turn access with stop sign control. The project also extends San Mateo Avenue to Pierce Street, providing an alternate connection for vehicles needing to access Central Avenue. These improvements are expected to reduce queueing and improve multimodal circulation through the interchange area.
Execution of these improvements requires acquisition of temporary construction easements, permanent easements, and fee interests to support roadway realignment, pedestrian and bicycle improvements, and drainage facilities. The acquisitions are necessary to secure the right-of-way needed for construction and long-term maintenance activities and are required to obtain Caltrans Right-of-Way Certification in advance of construction funding authorization.
Appraisals were completed by a licensed appraiser under the oversight of Monument, a right-of-way consulting firm contracted by the City, and Caltrans conducted review to ensure compliance with State and Federal requirements. Written offers have been extended to affected property owners and negotiations are underway.
April 1, 2025
Staff recommend that the City Council adopt the resolution to accept and record the acquisition of parcels for the I-80/Central Avenue Improvements (Phase II) Project. This action will also authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary deeds and documents related to the acquisition of property interests, including easements and grant deeds. Approval at this time will support the timely obligation of Subregional Transportation Mitigation Program (STMP) and State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funds and keep the project on track for construction.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Right-of-Way Acquisition Resolution (I-80/Central Ave Phase II) Attachment 2 – Acquisition map