The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) will be holding an online public meeting about the West Oakland Link Project on Thursday, December 17, 2020 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be hosted by the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA). The online meeting will enable participants to learn more about the proposed project, including the planning timeline, funding, and future opportunities for public input.

Join the meeting via Zoom here.

Please note that the meeting will be recorded. An audio channel with live interpretations in Spanish and Chinese will also be available on the Zoom meeting platform. Meeting materials, including a written summary and a recording of the meeting, will be posted to the project website after the meeting.

Public comments

You can write your comments on the “virtual comment card” [PDF] and send them to Peter Lee at plee@bayareametro.gov or Francis Lo at flo@baypacconsult.com. You can also send your questions about the project to them. The deadline for public comments is Friday, January 8, 2021.

Agenda

• 6:00-6:10 PM — Welcome & Introductions
• 6:10-6:30 PM — Presentation
• 6:30-7:00 PM — Question & Answer (Q&A)

You will also be able to submit comments and questions via the chat feature during the meeting.

About the project

The West Oakland Link is a proposed 1.1-mile-long elevated pedestrian and bicycle pathway that will connect Mandela Parkway in West Oakland with the existing Bay Bridge path, Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline (formerly Gateway Park), Treasure Island and, eventually, downtown San Francisco.

The West Oakland project will also connect the City of Oakland’s growing network of walking and biking routes with the greater San Francisco Bay Trail. Located in an area of heavy industry, Port, rail and freeway infrastructure, the West Oakland Link will enhance public safety by enabling residents of West Oakland and the greater East Bay to bike and walk on a lighted structure separate from truck and rail traffic.

The projected $65 million project is funded by the Bay Area Toll Authority, Alameda County Transportation Commission, City of Oakland, and Caltrans, and will likely be implemented in phases depending on the availability of State and other funds.

Community benefits

1. Vastly improved safety for West Oakland path-users, who will be completely separated from vehicular traffic and rail crossings.
2. More direct connection between Oakland bikeway network and the Bay Trail, Bay Bridge pathway, Treasure Island and Regional Shoreline park (formerly Gateway Park).
3. New opportunities for active recreation and improved health outcomes.
4. Will eventually provide a low cost, socially distant commute to job opportunities in downtown San Francisco.
5. Elevated trail will provide views of the Bay.

The full factsheet [PDF] and flyer are below. They are also available in Spanish and in Chinese in MTC’s project page.