Title
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Project Specific Maintenance Agreement, 04-Ala 260 PM R0.78/R1.90, for Pedestrian and Bike Project Components of the Oakland Alameda Access Project Located within the City of Alameda for No More than $10,000 Annually.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land). (Public Works)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Oakland Alameda Access Project (OAAP) is a Caltrans project sponsored by the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) which improves connectivity between Interstate 880 (I-880), Interstate 980 (I-980) and the cities of Alameda and Oakland. A portion of the project includes the construction of bike and pedestrian path connections from City of Alameda (City) streets to the new and existing pathways within the Webster and Posey Tubes. Consistent with Cooperative Agreement 04-2981, the proposed maintenance agreement formalizes the City maintenance responsibilities for these pathway connections within Caltrans right-of-way.
BACKGROUND
Led by the Alameda CTC , the OAAP is a $152 million regional project to improve connectivity between I-880, I-980, and the cities of Oakland and Alameda. The OAAP will improve freeway access for Alamedans and increase safety and equity for people in Oakland Chinatown. The Alameda CTC, City of Oakland, and the City of Alameda have collaborated on this project, in some form, for over twenty years.
The OAAP is an important project that will facilitate a more efficient connection for vehicles to and from I-880; reduce traffic and safety impacts in Oakland Chinatown, an equity priority community; and add a new, bicycle/pedestrian pathway in the Webster Tube. Currently, the Webster and Posey Tubes are the only vehicular connection between the west side of Alameda and downtown Oakland. Travelers need to use circuitous routes through Oakland neighborhoods to connect to I-880. OAAP proposes a new, dedicated onramp (the “horseshoe”) to connect the Posey Tube to I-880, improving pedestrian safety and reducing freeway-bound traffic on local roads in these equity priority Oakland communities.
Construction plans have been finalized, and the project is expected to begin construction by mid-2025 and be completed in 2028. Caltrans has required the maintenance agreement to be executed prior to the award of the construction contract.
DISCUSSION
The City has long advocated for improved pedestrian and bicycle access to be included with the OAAP and specifically a pedestrian/bicycle bridge across the estuary. While separate efforts continue regarding the estuary bridge, the OAAP project now includes a new pedestrian/bicycle pathway constructed within the Webster Tube to complement the existing pathway in the Posey Tube. The project also includes new and improved pedestrian and bicycle connections from adjacent City streets to the tubes. As part of Cooperative Agreement 04-2981, maintenance for these pathway connections will be the responsibility of the City and the proposed maintenance agreement formalizes these responsibilities for the City.
Construction of the OAAP will include limited full tube closures and extended single lane closures within the Webster and Posey Tubes. The City has been working will Alameda CTC, Caltrans, the local business community, and residents to communicate construction and project information. More information is available on the project’s website: https://www.alamedactc.org/programs-projects/highway-improvement/oakland-alameda-access-project and in a construction and project information bulletin prepared by the Alameda CTC: https://www.alamedactc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/OAAP-Construction-Information-Brochure_English_website.pdf.
ALTERNATIVES
• Authorize the City Manager to Enter into a Maintenance Agreement for Pedestrian and Bicycle Path Improvements on State Route 260 associated with the Oakland Alameda Access Project.
• Direct staff to renegotiate portions of the maintenance agreement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The financial impact to the City from the maintenance agreement is no more than $10,000 annually from existing budgets. There may be minor future expenses to repair and/or replace damage to the concrete pathways in the future which would be captured as part the regular sidewalk maintenance throughout Alameda. The City has an existing landscape agreement with Caltrans to maintain the landscaping in the area and these expenses are in our existing budget. There is no direct impact to the General Fund.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
Strategic Plan: Invest in Alameda’s Transportation, Infrastructure & Economy.
This action is subject to the Levine Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with CEQA, this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land). The OAAP project has completed an independent environmental review process.
CLIMATE IMPACT
The OAAP project will reduce delays for vehicles travelling to the I-880 and I-980 corridors and improve pedestrian and bicycle access on the west end of Alameda, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the Project Specific Maintenance Agreement, 04-Ala 260 PM R0.78/R1.90, for Pedestrian and Bicycle Project Components of the Oakland Alameda Access Project within the City of Alameda for no more than $10,000 annually.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
Scott Wikstrom, Deputy Public Works Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Proposed Project Specific Maintenance Agreement
2. Cooperative Agreement 04-2981