Albany commission votes to add Solano Avenue to Active Transportation Plan amid split public views

The Albany Transportation Commission voted Dec. 4 to include a conceptual Solano Avenue bicycle facility in the city’s Active Transportation Plan and to proceed with further design and analysis.

Consultants from Parametrix presented an asymmetric concept: a one-way uphill protected bikeway on the eastbound side, paired with a westbound shared travel lane and parallel parking on the north (westbound) side. The conceptual cross section showed an 11-foot westbound shared lane, 14-foot angled parking, a 4-foot buffer and a 7-foot protected bikeway on the eastbound/uphill side. Consultants said the layout fits within the existing curb-to-curb width but requires trade-offs: some curb bulbs would need reconstruction, ADA ramp approaches affect parking counts, and intersection geometry limits where passive detection or push-button triggers can be located.

Andrew Lee, the project civil engineer, said a block-by-block curb inventory identified 184 curb parking spaces currently and a conceptual layout that yields roughly 173 potential spaces — a banded estimate consultant teams characterized as approximately 0–10% loss depending on detailed design choices. Consultants noted in-lane bus stops preserve more parking but will block through traffic while buses board.

The Solano discussion included a high-level order-of-magnitude streetscape cost range of roughly $30 million to $50 million for full reconstruction that would include storm drain, curb and sidewalk work. The Albany Fire Department submitted an addendum raising operational concerns: staff relayed the department’s request to maintain a wider westbound lane (the department described an operational need near 15 feet) so crews can access equipment safely without moving into the opposing lane; staff said that request is operational rather than a codified design requirement and will require further study to reconcile with the concept.

Public comment was lengthy and split. Supporters — including members of local climate and active-transportation groups and families who bike — said protected bike lanes would improve safety, support mode shift and increase foot traffic for businesses. Opponents, including some longtime residents and business-area users, cautioned about the impact of angled-to-parallel parking conversion, difficulties seniors and shoppers might face with parallel parking, and the safety risk of a bike lane located between the sidewalk and parked cars. Several speakers recommended specific mitigations: shorter pedestrian crossing distances, floating curb extensions, prominent bike parking, and clear wayfinding.

After discussion, the commission voted to add Solano Avenue to the ATP and direct staff to pursue further design work that responds to fire department operational concerns, parking and loading strategies, and detailed intersection design. Staff will bring refined analyses and designs back to the commission and later to city council as part of a Solano Streetscape Improvement project.

Vote tally: the motion passed by a majority (4–2), with commissioners recording yes and no votes during roll call.

What comes next: staff and consultants will advance technical design work (parking and loading evaluations, intersection civil design, emergency response options, and bus stop design) with the intent to return with refined plans and funding strategies for council consideration.