MLK Jr. Way Streetscape and Road Diet proposals

Notes from the presentation and discussion are below.

Presentation notes

First round of outreach was in early 2022, with a survey to residents within a quarter-mile of the project area.
Concept provided is currently at 15% design.
Staff is talking to AC Transit about transit operation improvements including bus-only lanes, possibly as a future add-on.
Had a meeting with Berkeley staff about how to handle the transition across City border
Protected intersection at MLK/55th, and at MLK/59th, pedestrian crossing beacons (HAWKs) at currently uncontrolled crosswalks
Several bus stop changes/relocations
The plan for now is to continue protected bikeway past Berkeley border with flex post/rubber curbs. The Oakland side will be concrete islands.

Left-turn concerns from 55th to MLK in each direction—can signal phasing be changed to help account for this? Maybe a split phase so all eastbound and all westbound traffic goes at different times?
- Lane demarcation can help—Looking into signal phasing options
Need more substantial refuge islands in the middle-
- Trying to move the push-button poles to new locations that are more ADA-compliant, will also look into adding to existing median refuges.
Staff did a site walk-through with Santa Fe Neighborhood Coalition members.
Vehicle speeds off freeway onto MLK are very high, any project elements to reduce this?
- Road diet will address speeds by about 3-4 miles per hour, will be evaluating pre-/post-project to see if more is needed.
Northernmost block of West Street changes to one-way northbound instead of southbound.
Any feedback from Children’s Hospital staff?
- Yes, in coordination with them on Helen Macgregor Plaza update, and on phase 2 hospital expansion plans along 52nd St
- New crosswalk with pedestrian beacon (HAWK) at 51st/MLK to help serve hospital parking lot
35% design is estimated to be completed in spring of 2023.