Updated: April 25, 2022
Posted: March 27, 2020
The Oakland Department of Transportation is currently applying for funding to develop designs and to construct safer multimodal transportation improvements along 73rd Avenue/Hegenberger Road between Eastmont Transit Center, Coliseum BART Station and the newly constructed International Blvd Bus Rapid Transit (Tempo). This project will prioritize improvements to transit, pedestrian, and bicycle safety and comfort.
Some of the planned improvements include:
- Buffered bicycle lanes, closing a gap in the network and creating more separation from motorized vehicles
- Bus boarding islands to improve bus operations and give transit riders more visibility
- Two protected intersections for bicyclists and to help shorten pedestrian crossings
- High-visibility crosswalk markings at all intersections
- Extended medians to provide a pedestrian refuge in center of street and to reduce turning speeds
- Dedicated bicycle connection to Coliseum BART at International Blvd
- A new pedestrian/bicycle crossing across 73rd to proved direct access to Eastmont Transit village
Background:
The project was identified as a priority project in the 2019 bicycle plan update “Let’s Bike Oakland” and the 2021 East Oakland Mobility Action Plan (EOMAP). The City developed a resident and community-based organization-led design process to ensure that final recommendations resonated with the community. At each engagement opportunity, community members shared safety concerns regarding speeding and bad driving behavior at intersections, as well as security concerns biking and walking next to vehicle traffic due to potential exposure to drive-by assault. The current Class II bike lanes are faded and do not meet community safety needs. East Oakland community members shared that they did not feel safe using the current bike facilities or crossing 73rd Ave to access the Eastmont Transit Center.
The project provides safe routes to school, transit, and other key destinations. The buffered bike lane allows for youth to get to their classes and extracurricular activities at Markham Elementary School. The complete street improvements would also enhance one of Oakland's high frequency transit routes on 73rd Avenue. AC Transit Route 73 provides 15 minutes headways and connects to Coliseum BART, which provides regional job access to residents. The proposed bike facilities would provide more comfortable access to two employment and retail centers: the Eastmont Town Center and the International Blvd business corridor.
Other projects in the neighborhood
- Oakland Intermodal Terminal Coliseum BART Project - pedestrian access improvements to Coliseum BART
- East Oakland Neighborhood bicycle Routes - networks of bicycle boulevards to local destinations
