I-80 Central Avenue Interchange Improvements
In the cities of El Cerrito and Richmond, Central Avenue, between San Pablo Avenue and Jacuzzi Street, experiences heavy congestion and poor traffic operations. Closely spaced signalized intersections in the vicinity of the I-80/Central Avenue interchange as well as heavy left turn volumes and insufficient storage are key contributors to the problem. As a result, the local community initiated a project development process to study possible interchange, intersection, roadway alignment, and roadway operation alternatives to address these issues. This effort is being led by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and has resulted in the development of a Feasibility Study. When this effort was initially undertaken, the goal was to produce a Project Study Report (PSR).
Through analysis of the alternatives, it became apparent that due to the constricted nature of the site and the accompanying costs, large, capital intensive interchange alternatives would not address the project issues in a cost effective manner when compared to phased, smaller scale operational improvements. As such, the project team began to analyze the local road improvements as "stand alone" projects to determine if they could provide appropriate benefits. Ultimately, two alternatives that did not fully address the project purpose and need but would provide near term congestion relief were identified and recommended.
The two recommended improvements are as follows:
- Operational Modifications Project: Close westbound I-80 on-ramp during weekend peak hours and redirect traffic to nearby I-580 to improve traffic flow.
- Local Roads Realignment Project: Realign Pierce Street/San Mateo Street and relocate the signal at Pierce Street/Central Avenue to San Mateo Street/Central Avenue to increase vehicle queuing capacity.
Click on the below links for project-related documents.
Feasibility Study Appendices - available upon request from ewilson@ccta.net
- Appendix A, Project Location and Project Area Limits
- Appendix B, Project Alternatives
- Appendix C, Near Term Improvement Project
- Appendix D, Rejected Alternatives
- Appendix E, Geology/Geotechnical Review
- Appendix F, Construction Cost Estimates
- Appendix G, Multi Modal Review
- Appendix H, Existing Utilities
- Appendix I, Hazardous Material
- Appendix J, Area of Potential Effects (APE)
Project Open House - April 14, 2010 - available upon request
- Media Advisory - Project Public Open House - Wednesday, April 14, 2010
- Project Public Open House Informational Flyer
- April 14, 2010 PowerPoint Presentation
Project Presentation at the City of Albany - June 24, 2010 7:00 p.m.
- Project Meeting Informational Flyer - June 2010 [PDF-621 KB]
- City of Albany Traffic and Safety Commission Project Presentation - June 24, 2010