Laurel Access to Mills, Maxwell Park, and Seminary (LAMMPS)

  • Project TypeTransportation

Phases 2 and 3

 
March 2026 update

This webpage was newly created to combine information for LAMMPS 2 and LAMMPS 3 on one project page

Project Overview 

The Laurel Access to Mills, Maxwell Park, and Seminary (LAMMPS) Project is a City of Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT) effort to make it safer and easier to walk, bike, and travel through East Oakland. Building on earlier improvements, LAMMPS Phases 2 and 3 are being designed and constructed together as one coordinated project. 

Together, these projects will create safer streets, better crossings, and a continuous off-street walking and biking path that connects neighborhoods in East Oakland to schools, transit, shops, and services. 

What the Project Will Do 

LAMMPS Phases 2 and 3 focus on MacArthur Boulevard and Seminary Avenue, extending the improvements made in Phase 1. 

When complete, the project will: 

  • Create a 1.7-mile off-street walking and biking path 
  • Improve safety for people walking, biking, taking transit, and driving 
  • Calm traffic and reduce speeding 
  • Close gaps in sidewalks and bike connections 
  • Improve access between East Oakland neighborhoods and key destinations

The project will connect Millsmont, Mills Garden, Frick, Maxwell Park, and Seminary neighborhoods with: 

  • Northeastern University 
  • The Laurel Commercial District 
  • Eastmont Town Center 
  • Transit routes on MacArthur Boulevard and Seminary Avenue 
Project Areas
Phase 2 – MacArthur Boulevard

55th Avenue to Seminary Avenue 

Planned improvements include: 

  • Extending the off-street walking and biking path built in Phase 1 
  • Safer crossings at 55th Avenue & MacArthur and Seminary Avenue & MacArthur 
  • New and improved crosswalks and pedestrian refuge islands 
  • Street changes to reduce vehicle speeds 
  • Potential protected bike facilities, based on community feedback 
Phase 3 – Seminary Avenue

Camden Street to Sunnymere Boulevard 

Planned improvements include: 

  • A new off-street walking and biking path connecting to Phase 2 
  • New sidewalk segments where gaps exist 
  • Safer crossings with new traffic signals for pedestrians 
  • Traffic calming, including lane reductions and intersection redesigns 
  • Improvements at the MacArthur Boulevard intersection 

Note: Seminary Avenue from Foothill Boulevard to Camden Street will be repaved separately by Oak Dot’s paving program in 2026, with added safety features such as marked crossings and traffic calming. 

Why the Projects Are Combined 

In 2023, OakDOT secured funding to fully design both Phase 2 and Phase 3, but construction funding was still needed. In August 2024, OakDOT received major state funding that required the two phases to be delivered together. 

Combining the projects: 

  • Creates a seamless walking and biking route 
  • Reduces construction conflicts 
  • Improves coordination and efficiency 
  • Ensures consistent design across corridors

A single design team will complete final plans for both phases. 

Funding 

OakDOT has secured significant funding for LAMMPS Phases 2 and 3: 

  • $10,033,000 from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Housing Incentive Pool (HIP) program (July 2025) 
  • $8.7 million from the State’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program (August 2024), tied to the Residences at Liberation Park affordable housing project 
  • Local funding to support design work
Design and Outreach 
  • Phase 3 reached 35% design in 2024 
  • Final design work for both phases resumed in late 2025 
  • Community outreach for the MacArthur Boulevard portion is expected to resume in early 2026 
  • Past outreach included neighborhood meetings, surveys, and public design reviews 

Community feedback has strongly supported an off-street walking and biking path, which is now a central feature of the combined project. 

Maps, updates, and opportunities to provide feedback will be shared as the project moves forward. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the LAMMPS 2 & 3 Project

What is the LAMMPS Project?

LAMMPS stands for Laurel Access to Mills, Maxwell Park, and Seminary. It is a City of Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT)project that improves streets to make it safer and easier to walk, bike, take transit, and drive in East Oakland

 

What are Phases 2 and 3?

Phases 2 and 3 are the next steps after earlier improvements (Phase 1). They focus on: 

  • MacArthur Boulevard (Phase 2) 
  •  Seminary Avenue (Phase 3) 

These two phases are now being designed and built together as one project. 

 

Why are Phases 2 and 3 combined?

OakDOT received state funding that requires both phases to be delivered at the same time. Combining them: 

  • Creates a smoother and safer walking and biking route 
  •  Reduces construction conflicts 
  •  Saves time and resources 
  •  Makes sure designs work well together

What improvements will be made?

The project will: 

  • Build a continuous 1.7 mile off-street walking and biking path 
  •  Improve crosswalks and intersections 
  •  Add or fix sidewalks where there are gaps 
  •  Slow down traffic to improve safety 
  •  Make streets easier to use for people of all ages and abilities 

Where will the project be built?

  • MacArthur Boulevard: From 55th Avenue to Seminary Avenue 
  • Seminary Avenue: From Camden Street to Sunnymere Boulevard

Together, these improvements will connect several East Oakland neighborhoods with schools, shops, transit, and services.

 

How long will the walking and biking path be?

When Phases 2 and 3 are complete, there will be a 1.7-mile off-street path connecting East Oakland neighborhoods to the Laurel District and Northeastern University.

 

Will this affect driving or parking?

Some street changes may adjust how lanes are used to slow speeding drivers and improve safety. Details about parking and travel impacts will be shared during final design and before construction begins.

Has the community been involved?

Yes. OakDOT has held meetings, surveys, and public design reviews. Community feedback strongly supported a separated walking and biking path, which is now a main part of the project. More outreach will happen before designs are finalized and before construction begins.

 

When will construction start?

Construction is planned for 2028–2029. 

Before that: 

  • Community outreach resumes in early 2026 
  • Final design will be completed in 2027 

 

Is the project fully funded?

OakDOT has secured major funding, including: 

 

  • $10 million from a regional transportation grant 
  • $8.7 million from the State of California 

 

 

What about Seminary Avenue south of Camden Street?

Seminary Avenue from Foothill Boulevard to Camden Street will be repaved separately in 2026 by OakDOT’s paving program. That work will include safety improvements like new crosswalks and traffic calming.

 

How can I stay informed?

You can: 

  • Sign up for project updates by email
  • Attend future community meetings 
  • Contact the project team with questions