At the September 17, 2026 BPAC meeting, Ruth Meza and Jane Mei, from OakDOT’s Major Projects Division will present on two of four RM3 SR2TBT design and construction grant applications in development: 7th Street Bay Trail West Enhancement and Bay Trail Gap Closure Central. (Kennedy Street Corridor and 8th Street Corridor Improvements projects were presented to BPAC in July 2026, and September 2026, respectively).

• 7th Street Bay Trail West Enhancement (Wood Street to Bay Street Circle) – will improve safety, connectivity, and accessibility on the Bay Trail, connecting to the Bay Bridge Trail, Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, the historic 7th Street Commercial District, and the West Oakland BART station by upgrading the existing undercrossing of I-880 and implementing a Class I bicycle facility that separates pedestrians and bicyclists from Port-related heavy vehicle traffic. Potential grant cosponsorship with the Port of Oakland.
• Bay Trail Gap Closure Central: Brooklyn Basin – will complete one of MTC’s highest-priority missing links in the Bay Trail by implementing approximately 0.5 miles of Class I shared-use path with landscaping and wayfinding signage. Application will be developed in partnership with Signature Development.
• Bay Trail Gap Closure East: Kennedy Street Corridor – will close a currently unbuildable gap #4096 in the Bay Trail using an on-street alternative. This segment will help connect Alameda city residents, Jingletown, and other East Oakland communities by installing Class I shared-use paths or Class IV protected bike lanes, and Class III bike boulevards to connect adjoining segments of the Bay Trail.
• 8th Street Corridor Improvements – will improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety, accessibility, and connectivity within Oakland’s Chinatown and Old Oakland Equity Priority Communities. The project will strengthen connections to the Lake Merritt BART station and AC Transit stops while expanding access to regional trails, including the Bay Trail and future East Bay Greenway. Potential grant co-sponsorship with BART.

An excerpt is below, followed by the full presentation.

7th Street Bay Trail West Enhancement (Wood Street to Bay Street Circle)

• The 7th Street Bay Trail West Enhancement project aligns with recommendations from the 2019 Bike Plan, West Oakland Community Action Plan, and the Oakland Army Base Redevelopment Plan.
• 2019 Oakland Bike Plan recommends a Class I path on 7th Street from Wood Street to Maritime Street.
• $1.2M funded from the Port of Oakland for planning and design up to 30% milestone.
  • The Port of Oakland led design and engagement up to 30%.
• Remaining design costs and construction costs will be requested through the RM3 Safe Routes to Transit & Bay Trail Program.
  • If awarded, OakDOT staff will develop an Engagement Plan. OakDOT staff have established relationships with West Oakland community organizations and will engage them early in the design phase before conducting broader outreach.

Brooklyn Basin / Future Mayhew Park (Bay Trail Central)

• The Bay Trail through Brooklyn Basin is identified as a planned bike path to serve as a long-distance corridor in the 2019 Bike Plan.
• OakDOT recently applied for ACTC CIP funding for this Project
  • $3 million for design
  • $5 million for construction
  • Awards to be announced next year

Kennedy Street Corridor (Bay Trail East)

Presented to BPAC Infrastructure Committee in July 2026. Feedback:

• In addition to the existing path to walk a bike over the Park Street bridge, explore process for gaining access under the bridge.
• Explore opportunities to fill the gaps in the Bay Trail from the project, to Union Park, and all the way up to Brooklyn Basin.
• Explore raised sidewalk level bikeway and other safety measures to clearly delineate the Cemex driveway and space for people and bikes.
• Improve 29th Ave and E. 7th crossing (west of the overpass) to improve sightlines at turn.
• Enhance safety for people on bikes navigating the 23rd Avenue and E. 7th Street intersection.
• Explore bike facility on Ford to connect people between Kennedy and Peterson.
• City will check in with Save the Bay on project scope now and through development.

8th Street Corridor Improvements

Presented to BPAC Infrastructure Committee in September 2026. Feedback:

• Upgrade bicycle safety on 8th Street in Old Oakland. A protected bike lane or a buffered bike lane with reducing to one vehicle lane is preferred over the current 65% designs. Prioritize safety concerns over cost concerns.
• Designs should provide adequate space for passenger and commercial loading to avoid double parking.
• Explore permanent upgrades to 8th Street at Madison Street.
• Across project, minimize use of quick-build materials. Protect posts with rubber wheel stops or similar.
• Additional improvements to consider:
  • More pedestrian scramble. ie. closer to Lake Merritt BART.
  • 2-way traffic study on 8th & 9th St.
  • Bike facility on Harrison Street to complete network.

Presentation