Title
Recommendation to Endorse a Grant Application to the Alameda County Transportation Commission's 2024 Comprehensive Investment Plan Call for Projects for Grant Funds for the Alameda-Oakland Free Public Water Shuttle Pilot Program. (Transportation 20962740)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2009, the City of Alameda's (City) Estuary Crossing Study recommended a water shuttle as the medium term solution to closing the gap between Alameda and Oakland in the west end. The need for a water shuttle for pedestrians and bicyclists across the Oakland Alameda Estuary (Estuary) is also recognized in the City's General Plan, the Transportation Choices Plan, and the draft bikeway recommendations of the Active Transportation Plan.
The City's transportation planning staff has been working with local business organizations on both sides of the Estuary and transportation agencies to initiate a public water shuttle service between the two cities. At this time, City staff, its development partners, and the Water Emergency Transit Agency (WETA) believe that funding, momentum and will are finally in place to initiate a two-year pilot program beginning in the summer of 2023.
The annual cost is projected to be between $1.4 and $1.9 million to operate a free weekday public water shuttle program. Staff is recommending that the City Council authorize staff to proceed with a grant application in partnership with WETA to the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) for supplemental grant funds for the program.
BACKGROUND
Currently, there is not adequate, safe or convenient access for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross the Estuary west of the Park Street Bridge. The City, WETA, the Jack London Square Property Management Company, Blue Rise Venture (the owners of the Marina Village Business Park), the West Alameda Transportation Management Association, and the Alameda Transportation Management Association want to...
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