Port of Oakland - Newsroom

Port of Oakland Receives Grant for Jack London Square Crosswalk Improvement Project; Work is set to begin Monday, July 16th
(Prep work might begin this weekend 7-14 and 7-15)

What: Jack London Square Crosswalk Improvement Project
Where: 4 Intersections, Jack London Square, along the Embarcadero from Clay to Franklin Street
When: During an approximate 4-5 week period beginning Monday, July 16th, 2001
Why: To upgrade crosswalks and provide easier visitor access to Jack London Square

The Port of Oakland succeeded in getting grant funds to improve all the crosswalks at 4 intersections near Jack London Square. As the lead agency, the Port is working together with Union Pacific Railroad Company and the City of Oakland for this project, which will make it easier for pedestrians to cross the UP tracks. This endeavor also includes the cooperation of Amtrak in scheduling trains through the area, to provide "windows" of opportunity for the work to progress in a timely fashion.

"The Port of Oakland is working in a collaborative effort with the City of Oakland, Union Pacific and Amtrak. We want to ensure that this project moves forward as quickly and smoothly as possible," said Port of Oakland Engineer Chris Chan. "The end result will be easier access in and out of Jack London Square for all visitors."

The preliminary work (sawcutting) in advance of the crosswalk project may take a couple of days (possibly Saturday and Sunday 7-14 and 7-15). Groundbreaking will begin Monday, July 16th. The work is anticipated to take about 4 to 5 weeks. Crosswalks included in the project are located at intersections along the Embarcadero: Clay, Washington, Broadway and Franklin streets.

The Port negotiated an agreement with Union Pacific, which owns the right-of-way for the tracks, to perform this work. Once UP completes its portion of the project, the City of Oakland will grind, repave and re-stripe Embarcadero. UP is responsible for scheduling and managing its construction activities. The improvements at each intersection are expected to take approximately one week to complete, weather permitting.

The Port's Engineering Department is currently working with the City of Oakland's Traffic Department to develop a temporary traffic routing plan in and out of Jack London Square. The construction detour plan will provide a lane for one-way traffic on Embarcadero whenever possible.

Additional security officers and signage will provide directional assistance in Jack London Square. Temporary crosswalks will be created between intersections to ease pedestrian traffic.

The project will be performed during daylight hours Monday through Friday. Night work was considered, but due to the City's noise ordinance, was eliminated as a possibility. As currently proposed by Union Pacific, the work will initially start July 16th at the Franklin/Embarcadero intersection and head west.


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