January 27, 2026
Public Works
DATE: January 27, 2026
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:
Bicycle Circulation Modifications near West Cutting
Boulevard and South Garrard Boulevard
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $125,000 expenditure is included within the approved fiscal year 2025-2026 budget in the
General Capital Fund (Account String: 20136031-
400642-23081).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
November 10, 2020
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Following completion of the Class IV bikeway along
Cutting Boulevard and Harbour Way South, staff and the
Point Richmond Neighborhood Council have identified
operational concerns affecting bicycle, pedestrian, and vehicular circulation at West Cutting Boulevard and
South Garrard Boulevard, warranting targeted
modifications to improve overall circulation in the Point Richmond neighborhood.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: ADOPT a resolution to APPROPRIATE $125,000 from the General Capital Fund (Fund 2001) for circulation
modifications at West Cutting Boulevard and South
Garrard Boulevard in Point Richmond to improve
operational concerns affecting cyclists, pedestrians, and motor vehicles – Public Works Department (Hillal
Hamdan 621-1612/Robert Armijo 620-5477).
AGENDA
REPORT
January 27, 2026
DISCUSSION:
After an extensive community outreach process, the City Council adopted the Ferry to Bridge to Greenway Plan (“Plan”) in February 2021. The Plan aims to improve bicycle and pedestrian access along key corridors—including Cutting Boulevard and Harbour Way—connecting major destinations throughout Richmond. As an early implementation step, the City used a quick-build grant awarded in 2020 to construct a Class IV bikeway along Cutting Boulevard and Harbour Way South. The quick-build program is intended to rapidly implement circulation improvements, observe real-world operating conditions, and allow agencies to refine designs based on measured performance and community feedback.
In July 2021, the City awarded a construction contract to WR Forde to install bikeway improvements. During project delivery, several design revisions were required by the California Department of Transportation, the California Public Utilities Commission, and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF). In addition, the City requested that a slurry seal be applied to Cutting Boulevard and Hoffman Boulevard. As a result, the City Council approved two contract amendments. Construction was substantially completed in 2024.
Since its completion, the bikeway has become a popular route for cyclists traveling between the Richmond Ferry Terminal and downtown Point Richmond. However, staff monitoring and operational observations have identified several circulation and safety concerns, particularly at the intersection of West Cutting Boulevard and South Garrard Boulevard and along the segment fronting Washington Elementary School. The Point Richmond Neighborhood Council (PRNC) has also expressed concerns regarding these locations. In 2024, staff conducted a field tour with PRNC representatives and intentionally observed conditions over time before recommending adjustments, consistent with the quick-build implementation approach.
Staff coordinated with the Point Richmond Neighborhood Council (PRNC) to document observed circulation issues and identify potential operational improvements. Based on these observations, the City’s on-call transportation engineering consultant evaluated targeted striping, signage, delineation, and minor geometric adjustments that could improve bicycle, pedestrian, and vehicular circulation while maintaining the existing roadway configuration (Attachment 1). Near-term operational improvements were also identified along the Bay Trail near the Plunge and Dornan Tunnel to better manage bicycle and pedestrian conflicts, with additional longer-term considerations reserved for future planning efforts.
In parallel with this technical evaluation, staff conducted community outreach and responded to questions raised by the PRNC related to project governance, applicable design standards, and emergency response considerations. A detailed summary of this engagement, including staff responses to specific questions, is provided for reference (Attachment 2).
January 27, 2026
City staff recommend proceeding with the proposed changes and initiating a bid solicitation process to complete the work. City staff have evaluated the anticipated cost to implement the recommended modifications and manage construction, which is estimated to be less than $125,000. The proposed project cost is based on the Engineer’s Estimate and includes construction costs, mobilization, and a contingency to account for unforeseen conditions, minor design refinements, and potential fluctuations in material and labor costs. Construction of the proposed improvements is expected to begin and be completed within approximately one month during the summer of 2026.
Accordingly, staff recommend that the City Council adopt the accompanying resolution authorizing the appropriation of funds and implementation of the proposed bicycle circulation modifications at West Cutting Boulevard and South Garrard Boulevard (Attachment 3).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The proposed bicycle circulation modifications constitute repair and maintenance activities and are therefore exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Point Richmond Circulation Concerns
Attachment 2 – Question and Answer _PRNC Responses
Attachment 3 – Resolution for Bicycle Circulation Modifications (Point Richmond)