The California Transportation Commission has approved $175 million in funding for the 7th Street Grade Separation East Project.
The Alameda County Transportation Commission partnered with the CTC, the city of Oakland and the Port of Oakland to advance the high-priority goods movement project into construction, according to a news release.
The project will realign and reconstruct a primary trucking and access gateway into the Port of Oakland. The reconstructed access into the Oakland Seaport will relieve truck and vehicle congestion, increase safety and provide flexibility for seaport cargo operations, the release said.
The project includes a shared bicycle-pedestrian pathway for public access to the Middle Harbor Shoreline Park.
“We would like to thank the state for approving $175 million to advance the 7th Street Grade Separation East Project. The project will improve port operations and safety and also provides a new high-quality bicycle and pedestrian pathway connecting the community to the waterfront and recreational facilities. The project includes greening requested by the West Oakland community to reduce impacts of goods movement and improve public health,” Alameda John J. Bauters, California Transportation Commission chair, said in the release.
The CTC’s approval on Dec. 8 of the $175 million in state funding from the Senate Bill 1 Trade Corridors Enhancement Program will allow the 7th Street Grade Separation East Project to go to construction in 2023.
Calling the CTC’s approval of funding “a great example of partnership to leverage local, regional and state funding to deliver transportation improvements,” Alameda CTC Executive Director Tess Lengyel said in the release that the improvements will benefit the residents of Alameda County and the entire Northern California mega-region.
The improvements are expected to better support the movement of goods through the port.
“We are grateful to the CTC for approving the funding of the 7th Street corridor project; it is a critical access artery for the Port of Oakland and essential to efficient and safe goods movement,” Oakland Board of Port Commissioners President Barbara Leslie said in the release.
There is also a sustainability component to the project, says the Port of Oakland.
“The modernization of this gateway into the maritime area will enhance the flow of traffic in and out of the port, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by curtailing the time trucks spend here, which is important for public health,” Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan said in the release. “As we build for the next generation, improving infrastructure around the port supports safer transportation, improved operations, jobs and positive economic impact.”
The Alameda County Transportation Commission will manage the project with financial and engineering support from the Port of Oakland, the release said. Other project partners include the Federal Highway Administration, the California Transportation Commission, the California Department of Transportation, Union Pacific Railroad, BART, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the city of Oakland and several utility agencies.
More information about the project can be found here.
