At the September 7, 2023 BPAC Infrastructure Committee meeting, OakDOT Transportation Engineer Beaver Boonsook and Transportation Planner Ruth Meza from the Major Projects Division provided an update on the Broadway Streetscape Improvements and the MLK Jr. Way Streetscape Improvements. The presentation included a summary of engagement, what was heard, and the current designs of the projects.

The presentation [9.4MB PDF] is below, followed by presentation & discussion notes.

Presentation

Presentation & discussion notes

• Engagement on these projects done prior to this summer is available on the city project web pages. Summer 2023 engagement reports will be uploaded to the project webpages next week.
• Over 500 responses for Broadway survey, over 200 responses for MLK Jr Way survey
• Broadway design overview:
  • Extend right side bus-only lanes 2nd St to 11th St – Also 20th St to West Grand Ave
  • Sidewalk repairs & update traffic signals
  • Sidewalk corner bulb-outs at all corners and median islands
  • Will 2nd St at Broadway have intersection controls?
    • This will be reviewed as part of a separate project for Embarcadero.
  • Will bikes be allowed in bus lane?
    • To be further reviewed, will be working with AC Transit on design details.
  • Is data available on time savings benefit for buses for Broadway south of 880 where there are fewer buses? Concerns about potential bus lane abuse by drivers & safety impacts if there isn’t enough bus service provided
    • AC Transit will be providing data.
  • Slip turn lane closure at 6th St and Broadway
  • 580 underpass LED lighting being replaced first, then this Broadway project will change geometry through underpass, then a future project to look into more placemaking & landscaping. Preserving existing street trees is most important, no removals.
  • How does the 6th St cycle track via the Oakland-Alameda Access Project connect to the 7th Street protected bikeway to West Oakland – Separate opportunity 
  • Bus boarding islands require other buses to leave the bus lane to pass, so aren’t being suggested in most situations
    • In Jack London Square area there are flooding issues along curb, so look into bus islands in some of those situations to make things easier for people getting on/off the bus.
  • Is this project fully funded?
    • Yes, but there is a pending grant application to potentially do more.
    • Grant deadline is coming up soon and is not extendable.
  • More development on the way in Jack London Square area, will those sites build some infrastructure
    • Yes, but not for this project since those developments are coming later.
• MLK Jr Way design overview:
  • Consultant has presented two options
    • Two-way cycle track on east side of MLK, either street-level or raised at sidewalk-level
  • Added pedestrian-scale lighting will be added 
  • Comment: Why should project happen? Almost no bike/pedestrian traffic, but there is a lot of port traffic. Castro St seems like a better option. 5th St needs more traffic calming. Traffic signals need retiming. Semi trucks can’t turn from 10th St to MLK in one lane
  • Comment: Like raised cycle track concept, but not sure why MLK was selected.
    • A number of city parks are on this corridor. People wanted better walking environment
  • Comment: Raised cycle tracks are good if less pedestrian activity, otherwise street-level may be better – Think about how to support bike bike turning movements at intersections. Also centerline hardening on cycle track at intersections & driveways to avoid cars in the bikeway. MLK is one of the only connectors between San Pablo Ave through Downtown to 2nd St, besides Broadway which doesn’t have a bikeway.
  • Project design by Spring 2024, construction in 2025-2026.
    
• Please submit any additional comments/questions to mpd@oaklandca.gov until the end of day on Thursday, 09/21/23, and reference Broadway or MLK in the subject line as applicable.