Caltrans officials told the San Leandro City Council on Monday that a multi‑year, multi‑agency study will examine how removing a long‑standing truck weight restriction on the I‑580 corridor would affect traffic flow, safety, air quality and environmental justice for communities along I‑880 and nearby arterials. The agency described the project as technical and deliberative, with public workshops and detailed modeling planned through late 2026 or early 2027.

The study “will be tackling the question of how would removal of the I‑580 truck ban affect traffic safety, reliability and throughput along the 880 and 580 corridors and achieve equitable public health for nearby populations,” Caltrans deputy district director Cameron Oakes said during the presentation.

The project was prompted by recommendations in the West Oakland Community Action Plan and is funded and led by Caltrans in partnership with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, local cities including Oakland and San Leandro, Alameda County agencies and several community‑based organizations. The study’s technical workstreams include traffic forecasting, air‑quality and noise impact assessments, and a racial equity analysis; the Air District will lead the emissions work.

Caltrans presented a study area that stretches from the existing I‑580 restriction at Foothill Boulevard in San Leandro west to Grand Avenue in Oakland and includes parallel segments of I‑880 and other connecting arterials. The agency said the analysis will examine existing conditions and run future scenarios both with the present truck ban and with unrestricted truck access on I‑580.

Oakes described the study’s seven goals: reduce air and noise exposure from trucks, reduce truck traffic on local streets, reduce exposure for vulnerable road users, reduce roadway degradation and maintenance costs, identify potential strategies and responsible lead agencies, balance travel conditions and safety between the two freeway corridors, and improve freight efficiency.

Public‑engagement steps include three rounds of community outreach, three in‑area workshops, online surveys, and a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) made up of regional partners, local jurisdictions, the California Trucking Association, and three community‑based organizations: West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project, Communities for a Better Environment and San Leandro 2050. Caltrans said a virtual open house is scheduled for Nov. 12.

Council members pressed Caltrans on specifics. Council Member Acevedo asked where the current truck restriction starts and ends and whether the study will model truck availability and truck types; Oakes said the analytical work would run truck‑use scenarios and that the Air District would provide emissions modeling. Council Member Simon asked whether the study would look for historical ties between the truck ban and redlining; Oakes said the racial equity assessment could include that research.

Several public commenters urged quick action. One frequent commenter said the status quo amounted to environmental injustice and urged the council to “just open it up,” arguing that trucks are necessary to the economy and truck access should be shared between the corridors. Caltrans officials, however, repeated that the study’s purpose is to produce evidence and recommendations, not to pre‑judge outcomes.

Caltrans said the study is funded by state resources and that the agency will present findings and possible implementation pathways after the technical work is complete. No council action was required; the presentation was informational.

What’s next: Caltrans will complete traffic modeling and the Air District will produce an emissions and cancer‑risk analysis. The agencies plan follow‑up briefings for local councils and continued TAC meetings as the work proceeds.