[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6574161,"mediaKeyId","3108206-606f9b20b7ae28e5ead37b6e7791f11a","parentId",3108206,"title","Hayward staff recommend changes after Orchard Avenue traffic‑calming pilot shows modest speed reductions and mixed public response","audioSeconds",2963,"startMs",4814000,"endMs",7777000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108206-606f9b20b7ae28e5ead37b6e7791f11a&start=4814&end=7777","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108206-606f9b20b7ae28e5ead37b6e7791f11a/thumbnail_4814000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6574161/Hayward-City/Alameda-County/California/Hayward-staff-recommend-changes-after-Orchard-Avenue-trafficcalming-pilot-shows-modest-speed-reductions-and-mixed-public-response","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574161-e6df44f327fd7acd06a0c9d1e48ba7d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442645&Signature=GkEW0-Bm9pNrlUZPi1bzWEpnDVGUXN~d4idxe06oMmBpu0dxif9Oor5mcvE9GUgnTyS6ifWSqSqBRB1NqYA-Ge63HDOyEUJQjR4hYIOsn1XZTQVNul2Kdj9iau26821t3J-qAF2apbBpNeT06NORtwQVGXN49DWgOsfi6OakrgMAw9pKXsqK82gdbTc4M9jelMkdM4WnMZ544C1ywF~yKxccS0Gf9ISwssTxszK4Tb6WgDYtovvS1yzN-bC98U1ilZQL5yqcqqm8U8k2-4Dgouh2ACf2Qy8DsWdseRxuk2uAA2u11StXRPUV6Oyd4HlH5RyG5KvLBRwqEoLtcDdRTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-24T08:50:50.863Z","article","City transportation staff presented results of the Orchard Avenue traffic‑calming quick‑build pilot to the Council of Infrastructure and Good for Committee on April 23 and recommended immediate and longer‑term changes after a four‑month evaluation.

Principal Transportation Engineer Diane Tang said the evaluation used vendor turning‑movement counts, staff observations and a resident survey. Tang reported average speed reductions of about 4% to 8% near the roundabout and along Orchard. Data comparing counts from 2023 to January–April 2025 indicated heavy‑vehicle volumes (trucks and larger vehicles) fell by roughly 50%; overall vehicle counts remained similar to pre‑pilot levels.

Staff also described operational work to reduce queuing: signal timing was adjusted three times during the evaluation and staff implemented a phasing change that reduced certain queues by about 30% on average mornings. Tang said staff made interim adjustments during the evaluation and would continue monitoring.

Based on the pilot, staff’s short‑term recommendations included removing two raised intersections on Orchard Avenue and reopening a left‑turn pocket from Orchard onto Mission Boulevard. For the long term, staff recommended replacing temporary pilot materials with permanent infrastructure to reduce maintenance, installing crosswalks, curb ramps and curb extensions, exploring buffered or protected bike lanes on the east portion of Orchard and installing improved lighting at the roundabout. Staff also recommended exploring a multi‑use trail connection from Orchard to Whitman Street.

Public reaction was mixed. More than 500 residents responded to a survey staff mailed to about 5,000 households; roughly 60% of respondents were from Hayward Highlands and the next largest share from Orchard. Some residents, including longtime Highlands residents and a retired transportation engineer, said removing lanes and curb features had increased congestion and introduced confusing lane patterns. “It created compression. To me there is much more compression now in that area,” said Peter Ronan, a Highlands resident. Other residents supported the changes as needed to slow traffic and reduce heavy vehicles.

Council discussion and next steps: committee members asked staff to reopen the left‑turn pocket and continue signal‑timing refinements; one council member asked staff to consider using speed humps at locations where raised intersections are removed. Staff said permanent materials would be phased in after further adjustments; they also noted the pilot was not meant to address all regional traffic drivers (several speakers pointed to congestion at Jackson/Mission/Foothill as the upstream problem).

No formal vote was taken on the recommendations at this meeting; staff will return with refined plans and timing and will hold a public outreach session (staff referenced a May 8 public meeting on a related Hayward Boulevard project).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Infrastructure & Airport Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","City transportation staff reported modest speed reductions but unchanged total traffic volumes after the Orchard Avenue quick‑build pilot and recommended a mix of short‑term fixes and longer‑term permanent improvements.","taxTitle","Hayward City, Alameda County, California","taxId",2907,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6574166,"Hayward staff present $161 million FY26 capital improvement program and $1.3 billion 10‑year plan",760,2193000,2953000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108206-606f9b20b7ae28e5ead37b6e7791f11a&start=2193&end=2953","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108206-606f9b20b7ae28e5ead37b6e7791f11a/thumbnail_2193000.jpg","/articles/6574166/Hayward-City/Alameda-County/California/Hayward-staff-present-161-million-FY26-capital-improvement-program-and-13-billion-10year-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574166-99c5fbb54d9e0f0261d5c9f9d3b726c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442645&Signature=lDNnnI0inRhZFLzhHXF2UEnW1FlvycMkFV9sxB39F45LZ2~2m4Sb9SCEcfeAS2eSktneK0pZut0sEgms4U0SUK4I~o5XUDLMJBO8dFJOJ1H9AE31~7EpzJeBqw1gh-av5Ca0GF7rlQZ-Jk00l1v~bEy0lh-Zi~pzvU8bbgMrIQzcENRUCRahk~1QhUaskvPjQnGdNI21RYqQjev5onjN3ayDYT~NNe~ChkO4r07uoFaWCnkosGoHzsGYIljb-v-fiCxJxutaqIRZt8g5XMX4Uyp68mRZgywmJM9dIhhCrYgchhIfbqaOp7mEvVT9nf~PbTkCv26Y1K-WlmEYH9o-lA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented the recommended fiscal‑year 2026 capital improvement program (CIP) to the Council of Infrastructure and Good for Committee on April 23, outlining about $161 million programmed for FY26 and roughly $1.3 billion across a 10‑year planning horizon.

Marissa Mata, a management analyst in Public Works, said the FY26 proposed CIP “includes a total recommended budget of approximately $161,000,000 in FY26 and a total budget of approximately $1,300,000,000 in the entire 10‑year planning period.” The recommended FY26 package includes a proposed general‑fund transfer of approximately $3,000,000 and recommended internal‑service fees near $3,900,000.

Staff said the largest portion of the FY26 program is in sewer system projects, followed by livable‑neighborhoods projects (parks, sidewalks, Safe Routes to School work and traffic‑calming projects) and water‑system projects. Major sewer‑category items include an annual sewer‑line replacement project and Phase 2 of improvements at the Water Resource Recovery Facility; staff said the plant work is under regulatory timelines. Noted water items include a cast‑iron pipeline replacement program and a goal to replace about two miles of water pipeline per year.

Airport projects are funded in Fund 621 and the presentation highlighted a Sulphur Creek Mitigation Project budgeted at approximately $8.3 million, funded by the FAA, Caltrans Division of Aeronautics and the Airport Enterprise Fund, to enclose portions of Sulphur Creek adjacent to airport runways. The presentation also listed a corporation‑yard renovation as one of the largest unfunded needs (staff estimated the necessary improvements at more than $140,000,000) and an unfunded approximately $25,000,000 future need for additional phases of the STAC Center.

Staff recommended the committee review and comment on the CIP; the presentation noted staff will give an OpenGov online walkthrough at an upcoming May 6 work session. Alex Mayek, identified in the presentation as Public Works director, and Mata answered council members’ questions about project prioritization, potential tariff impacts on equipment procurement and near‑term procurement risks.

Motion recorded earlier in the meeting: the committee voted to approve the prior meeting minutes. Council member Andrews moved the motion; Council member Cyra Benner seconded; the chair noted the motion passed without objection.

Why it matters: the CIP shapes the city’s capital spending priorities for roads, utilities, parks and public safety. Staff stressed that the wastewater treatment plant improvements and sewer replacements are high‑priority items with regulatory deadlines and substantial cost implications. Council members pressed staff to consider state‑level advocacy and to assess tariff and supply‑chain risks that could alter project costs.

What’s next: staff will refine the CIP based on committee feedback and present materials at a May 6 council work session and other forthcoming budget and outreach meetings. Council members asked staff to return with updates on tariff impacts and to continue outreach on specific projects such as Mission Boulevard and Main Street improvements.","Public Works presented the recommended FY26 capital improvement program on April 23, highlighting a $161 million FY26 budget and roughly $1.3 billion of projects across ten years, with major spending in sewer, livable neighborhoods and water system programs and several large unfunded needs.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6574171,"Hayward residents urge council to preserve SkyWest golf course as open space amid airport and data‑center plans",1195,883000,2078000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108206-606f9b20b7ae28e5ead37b6e7791f11a&start=883&end=2078","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108206-606f9b20b7ae28e5ead37b6e7791f11a/thumbnail_883000.jpg","/articles/6574171/Hayward-City/Alameda-County/California/Hayward-residents-urge-council-to-preserve-SkyWest-golf-course-as-open-space-amid-airport-and-datacenter-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574171-6a0399d35b35c05efd3cd93d424adc53/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442646&Signature=ST~18lfF~v15bjuvAGkB5U7E8cy60vDfrdsIT7OiPI3g7ZhLAxLpIjksuVdlQ~xZnOCRXFqkmMu63hk9CDFv88L7frjXFkDSfbEblYSMi4lJLxyQcfu~RDCI6fE8NLHPvq8gwKM3VNQXpBr4fkCfeUVHpFCuqVYj6tIpeOznpYiGm4RGQ02MntxMNlUODRf-xM33JDX~Ok5P7oejEFa1okNWX5-z-kmsm72PK7j45dlhwn63H-wuwFn5edWmf85r7L5czxuGIbpBP0abZAwndzzzufRgswWEzkZy2RuZPg6YuW8tYTs7nHEob~5XELTws6rNtBS6J5b1byBajPxfzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hayward residents urged the City of Hayward’s infrastructure committee on April 23 to preserve the SkyWest golf course as publicly accessible open space and wildlife habitat rather than allow development tied to airport or data‑center projects.

At the public‑comment period, several speakers described the site as important overwintering habitat for western monarch butterflies and as supporting the western pond turtle. “SkyWest is a 26‑acre open space that is zoned open space in Hayward’s general plan,” said Mimi Dean, a San Lorenzo resident, adding the site is “the fifth largest site in the state” and “the number one overwintering site in the East Bay,” remarks made during public comment. Melissa Milliman, who identified herself as a Hayward resident, described experiencing jet‑fuel odors and urged the city to seek more community benefit from airport users and incoming data‑center development.

Speakers said the community has organized a petition: “We have about 600 signatures so far,” Dean said, and she described outreach with students and colleges to build a broader coalition. Rob Bennington, formerly with Cooperative Extension, urged the city to pursue grant and planning tools that could support conservation or urban agriculture at SkyWest and noted the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) had a Priority Conservation Area nomination cycle with a May 2 submission deadline that could make the site eligible for grant funding.

Why it matters: commenters tied SkyWest to neighborhood equity and public‑health concerns near Hayward Executive Airport and framed the site as scarce open space for communities east of the airport (Hayward Acres, Ashley, Cherryland and San Lorenzo). Several speakers asked the committee to treat SkyWest as part of any negotiations over community benefits tied to an expected data‑center project in the area.

What was said and next steps: staff recorded the public comments during the meeting. Petitioners asked the city to nominate SkyWest for regional conservation programs, to incorporate the site into negotiations for community benefit packages related to incoming development, and to prioritize the site’s habitat values in future planning. Speakers repeatedly referenced the federal comment process on monarch protections and asked the city to weigh in.

No formal council action on SkyWest occurred during the committee meeting; the remarks were offered during the public‑comment portion of the agenda. Petitioners and advocates noted the ABAG nomination deadline (May 2) and asked staff and elected officials to consider the time‑sensitive filing opportunity.

Community claims and attribution: the article quotes public commenters as recorded in the April 23 meeting. Claims about SkyWest’s rank among statewide habitat sites and exact ecological rankings were made by commenters and are reported here as such; the city did not take a formal position during the meeting.

Looking ahead: speakers said they will continue collecting petition signatures and outreach; they asked the city to explore ABAG nomination and to include SkyWest in community‑benefit discussions for upcoming development.","Residents told the Council of Infrastructure and Good for Committee on April 23 they want the 26‑acre SkyWest site protected for monarch habitat, recreation and community benefit. Speakers sought a city nomination to regional conservation programs and asked the city to seek community benefits tied to an anticipated nearby data center.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hayward staff recommend changes after Orchard Avenue traffic‑calming pilot shows modest speed reductions and mixed public response

Hayward staff present $161 million FY26 capital improvement program and $1.3 billion 10‑year plan

Hayward residents urge council to preserve SkyWest golf course as open space amid airport and data‑center plans