Major traffic safety improvements are coming to Oakland’s International Boulevard as part of a partnership between the city and the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District.
The so-called “Quick Build” project focuses on AC Transit’s Line 1T-Tempo Bus Rapid Transit corridor, which uses a dedicated bus lane and median stations to separate buses from other vehicle traffic along International Boulevard.
Initially, the transit agency secured $400,000 from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to build out safety improvements from 14th Avenue to 42nd Avenue, and now Oakland is kicking in another $1.8 million to extend the project to 107th Avenue.
“We have to create ways, along with the city of Oakland, to ensure that the large number or riders who are traversing that corridor are doing so safely,” said AC Transit spokesperson Robert Lyles.
The improvements will essentially make the bus lanes more distinct, making it more clear to motorists where they are and aren’t supposed to be driving.
Features of the project include yellow vertical posts every 10 feet to separate directions of travel, white vertical posts every 15 feet between the bus-only lane and general travel lanes, white painted text on the pavement to emphasize the bus-only lane, white painted arrows on the pavement to emphasize permissible turns, new lane violation, fines and speed limit signage and “bus signs” on transit signals.
Also, the city and AC Transit will introduce a new pilot program to install “speed cushions” designed to prevent people driving in the bus-only lane while allowing buses and emergency vehicles to easily pass over.
The Quick Build project will launch later this spring and is expected to be done by the end of summer.
To learn more about the project, people can send emails to planning@actransit.org.
International Boulevard residents and businesses can give feedback or report damaged signs, paint or posts by calling 311 or (510) 615-5566 or by sending an email to OAK311@oaklandca.gov.