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Albany seeks state planning grant to study north–south Adams Crossing connection across Cerrito Creek
Summary
City staff will apply with El Cerrito for a Caltrans sustainable‑transportation planning grant to study alternatives for a north–south pedestrian and bicycle connection near the El Cerrito Plaza BART station, including options that cross Cerrito Creek and consider the Orientation Center for the Blind and PG&E constraints.
City staff told the Transportation Commission on Dec. 19 that the city intends to apply, jointly with the City of El Cerrito, for a Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning grant to fund an alternatives analysis of a north–south pedestrian and bicycle connection in the El Cerrito Plaza / Adams corridor.
Staff described the proposal as a planning and scoping study — not construction funding — to evaluate several corridor options and to conduct robust outreach and environmental and utility feasibility screening. The project area centers on the walk shed around El Cerrito Plaza BART and would evaluate three corridor alternatives that aim to improve access between north and south sides of Cerrito Creek and the BART station, a location staff said will see large transit‑oriented development and growth.
City staff said the corridor is constrained by commercial parcels, the El Cerrito Plaza shopping center, the Orientation Center for the Blind campus, and a Pacific Gas & Electric high‑pressure gas transmission line that will all need to be considered in design and feasibility work. Staff told the commission the Orientation Center for the Blind had raised concerns in prior outreach about new bicycle and pedestrian crossings in the vicinity and that, if funded, the project would include dedicated engagement with that stakeholder.
The grant application would fund outreach, alternatives analysis, design concepts and coordination with El Cerrito; staff said the city would apply as a joint applicant with El Cerrito and that El Cerrito would be a partner in the match. The commission voted to recommend Council authorize the city manager to submit the application.
Commissioners and residents asked about the scope of study, the likely cost of construction for any preferred alternative, coordination with the Orientation Center for the Blind, and the role of PG&E utility constraints. Staff replied that the grant program is intended for planning and alternatives assessment and that a funded study would evaluate utility, right‑of‑way and stakeholder constraints before any construction decision.
The commission recorded a unanimous recommendation for council to authorize the application.
