THE FINAL ESTUARY CROSSING FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT IS NOW AVAILABLE:
Estuary Crossing Feasibility Study Final Report (PDF, 20411Kb)

Updated July 2009

In the News

Caltrans mulls alternate estuary crossing (July 28, 2008 in Oakland Tribune) (PDF, 25Kb) Multitude of Solutions Await Winnowing (June 2, 2008 in Alameda Sun) (PDF, 87Kb) Estuary Egress Examined (May 2, 2008 in Alameda Sun) (PDF, 78Kb) Cyclists push for cleaner crossing Riders complain Posey Tube (Dec 11, 2006 in Oakland Tribune) (PDF, 122Kb)

THE DRAFT ESTUARY CROSSING FEASIBILITY STUDY IS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW:
Draft Estuary Crossing Feasibility Report (PDF, 5740Kb)

Estuary Crossing Vision

Create an easy-to-use, safe and enjoyable crossing to enhance the Bay Area’s regional bicycle, pedestrian and transit networks.

Feasibility Study Goal

Develop crossing designs that appeal to the patron, adjacent communities, decision-makers, transit providers and funding authorities.

Study Schedule

Background

Why do we need another crossing?
Today, bicyclists and pedestrians traveling between the west end of Alameda and Oakland's downtown must use either a bus or a narrow path in the Posey Tube with two-way pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Due to the limitations of this estuary crossing, pedestrians and bicyclists are reluctant to use it, which reduces the potential diversion from automobiles to walking and bicycling in this heavily congested corridor. As the populations of west Alameda and Oakland grow, congestion and conditions in the Webster Street and Posey Tubes will worsen. A new crossing for bicyclists, pedestrians and perhaps for transit will help provide a safe, convenient option for recreational riders, tourists and commuters.

Who will use the new crossing?
As jobs, housing and tourism grow in the East Bay, more residents, workers, students and tourists will cross the estuary. Significant destinations on both sides of the estuary include the College of Alameda, the Webster Street Business District, Marina Village, Jack London Square, transit hubs such as BART, Amtrak and bus stops, Oakland Chinatown, the new Alameda Landing project currently under development, and the potential future redevelopment of Alameda Point.

Who supports the new crossing?
The highest priority project in the city of Alameda's Bicycle Master Plan (2002) is to provide an alternate to the Posey Tube path. The city of Oakland lists the estuary crossing project as a high priority project in its 2007 Bicycle Master Plan Update. The estuary crossing is also on the San Francisco Bay Trail alignment. As indicated in the Alameda's Bike Master Plan, the first step in providing for the bicycle/pedestrian estuary crossing is to conduct a feasibility study to identify and evaluate project alternatives.

Study Work Plan

The selected consultant - the Arup Team - is evaluating a range of potential alternatives such as a new tube, bridge or ferry as well as amphibious vehicles or a bus barge, and is identifying at least three preferred alternatives between Alameda's west end and the city of Oakland. The main consultant tasks are as follows:

• Review and analyze existing conditions

• Identify project opportunities and constraints

• Develop potential project alternatives

• Recommend final preferred alternatives

• Prepare an Estuary Crossing Feasibility Study Report

The study boundaries are between the Marina Village Shopping Center and the Main Street Ferry Terminal on the Alameda side and the Estuary Park and the Oakland Ferry Terminal on the Oakland side.

Public Involvement Process

Another key aspect of this study is to establish a public involvement process at the early stages and to engage the public throughout the study. Caltrans District 4 Office of Community Planning is providing on-call outreach consultant (Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc.) to develop and implement the public engagement action plan and a stakeholder assessment.

The purpose of Caltrans' Planning Public Engagement Contract (PPEC) is to enhance Caltrans' ability to achieve a balanced representation of all stakeholders in the planning process including groups that have been traditionally underrepresented. This on-call contract provides support to Caltrans-related projects throughout the state.

Advisory Committees

The study team has established two interagency advisory committees to discuss project-related concerns, provide input and build consensus on recommended alternatives.

Technical Advisory Committee (also known as the Multi-jurisdictional Task Force) Members
- AC Transit
- Alameda County Congestion Management Agency (ACCMA)
- Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority (ACTIA)
- Bay Trail Project/Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
- Caltrans, District 4, Office of Transportation Planning
- Caltrans, District 4, Office of Community Planning
- City of Alameda Planning Department
- City of Alameda Public Works Department
- City of Oakland Strategic Planning Division
- City of Oakland Transportation Services Division
- Port of Oakland
- San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission
- US Coast Guard
- Water Emergency Transportation Authority

Policy Advisory Committee Members
- AC Transit
- Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority (ACTIA)
- Caltrans, District 4
- City of Alameda Planning Department
- City of Alameda Public Works Department
- City of Oakland Strategic Planning Division
- City of Oakland Transportation Services Division
- Port of Oakland
- San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission
- US Coast Guard

Estuary Crossing Study Mailing List

To be part of the Estuary Crossing Study mailing list, please email Gail Payne, Transportation Coordinator, City of Alameda, Public Works Department gpayne@ci.alameda.ca.us or call her at 510-749-5918.

Financial Contributors to the Study

The funding breakdown for the study is as follows:
- Measure B Bike/Pedestrian Discretionary: $100,000 (Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority)
- City of Alameda Measure B Local Funds: $100,000
- City of Oakland: $10,000
- TOTAL: $210,000

Caltrans also is contributing in-kind support by providing the study with the use of its on-call outreach consultants.

Measure B, Alameda County's half-cent transportation sales tax, is administered by the Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority. To learn more about Measure B funding or the Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority, visit their web site at www.actia2022.com.

It is anticipated that implementation of major projects identified in the Estuary Crossing Study will need regional, state or federal funding.

Contact Information

Gail Payne, Transportation Coordinator
City of Alameda Public Works Department
950 West Mall Square, Room 110
Alameda, CA 94501-7552
(510) 749-5918, Fax: (510) 749-5867, TDD: 510-222-7538
Email: gpayne@ci.alameda.ca.us