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San Leandro adopts 10‑year CIP after heated debate over Lake Chabot Road reopening; full repair estimated in the millions
Summary
The council adopted the FY2026–2035 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) after extended public comment focused on reopening Lake Chabot Road. Staff said the CIP lists $52 million in recommended projects (excl. a segmented list), has grant funds of about $5.8 million and that fully restoring Lake Chabot Road for two‑way traffic may cost roughly $11 million; the CIP passed 5–2.
After two hours of public comment dominated by Bay O' Vista residents urging urgent repairs to Lake Chabot Road for wildfire evacuation and neighborhood safety, the San Leandro City Council adopted a 10‑year Capital Improvement Program covering fiscal years 2026–2035.
Engineering manager Erwin Ching presented the plan and said the two‑year recommended list (the portion of the CIP the council funds through the biennial budget) totals roughly $52,000,000 excluding a previously segmented list. Staff said approximately $5,800,000 of that is projected grant funding and that the city will continue to seek additional grants and use reserve funds where appropriate.
Council and staff focused substantial discussion on Lake Chabot Road. City engineer Jason (public works) recapped prior work and funding: the roadway requires slope stabilization at four slide sites; funding exists to design and construct repairs for two of those slides (referred to as sites 1 and 4), and staff estimated the remaining two slides (slides 2 and 3) would cost about $4,500,000. Staff reported roughly $714,000 is currently available for those two sites, leaving an estimated $3,800,000 shortfall for slides 2 and 3. Ching and other staff also referenced an earlier high‑level estimate that fully reopening Lake Chabot Road to two‑way traffic could cost in the order of $11,000,000, though staff said the final number will depend on updated geotechnical findings and market bid prices.
Residents described dangerous traffic on diverted neighborhood streets, concerns about evacuation routes during wildfire season and requests that the council prioritize geotechnical surveys and grant applications. "We need to reopen Lake Chabot Road so that we have all potential evacuation routes available," said Anne Callwood, noting recent fires and close calls. Some residents also cautioned the council about cost uncertainty and urged a clear roadmap for applying for ACTC and other grants (staff said the next ACTC cycle is expected in October 2026).
Council members pressed staff for more precise cost estimates and a schedule tied to grant cycles. Staff said borings and a LiDAR survey have been completed and that a geotechnical report and updated cost estimate could follow; staff also noted that grant applications require clear project scope and often matching funds.
On a motion to adopt the 10‑year CIP plan, the council approved the plan by a 5–2 vote. Votes against were recorded by two council members who said they wanted different prioritization or clarity on timelines. Staff said they will continue to pursue grant funding (including ACTC) and refine geotechnical and cost estimates as part of the next steps.
