Albany transportation panel reviews Cleveland Avenue rehab and two-way bikeway design

The Albany Transportation Commission on Sept. 25 reviewed draft plans for the Cleveland Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation and Bikeway Project, a combined paving and bikeway effort running from the I‑80 overpass near the Saha development to the Buchanan Street spurs.

Lisonbee Carrillo, the city’s CIP program manager, introduced the project and its funding context, saying, “This project was initiated under the annual street rehabilitation program.” Carrillo and consultant Emma Chantal told the commission the effort pairs routine pavement preservation with bikeway elements and related ADA, drainage and signage work.

Chantal outlined the draft cross‑section and configuration for the corridor and why staff are recommending a separated facility: “This is more, again, a draft level plan,” she said, and described a west‑side, two‑way separated bikeway that in the current drawings shows an 8‑foot bikeway, a 2‑foot buffer, two 10‑foot travel lanes and a 7‑foot parking lane.

Staff noted grant funding has been secured to supplement the annual paving program: a grant from Alameda CTC (noted during the meeting at about $15,000) intended for bikeway components and a $300,000 Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) award for the Pierce–Cleveland connection. City staff said the overall estimated project cost is about $1,500,000, with roughly $500,000 identified as related specifically to bikeway elements.

Commissioners focused discussion on crossings and safety where the bikeway connects to existing facilities, particularly the Saha/Verona Hill crossing and the Buchanan spur. Commissioners and staff debated treatments to slow vehicles and clarify cyclist movements — options included curb extensions, painted green crossings, directional arrows, removable or fixed vertical features and turn boxes at side‑street approaches. One commissioner urged attention to downhill bicycle speeds and pedestrian safety at crossings, noting cyclists “will be coming down to a pretty good clip” and suggesting bollards to slow bikes in crosswalk areas.

Transit and emergency access were also discussed. Staff said the design maintains 10‑foot travel lanes because there is not an active bus requirement for the route at present but that bus maneuvers could be accommodated if service returns by using the 2‑foot buffer and avoiding vertical delineators in turning zones. Staff also flagged the need to consult fire officials if a median or curb island treatment could affect emergency access.

Drainage and lighting emerged as technical priorities. Chantal described Cleveland Avenue as part of a major overland flow channel and said staff plan to extend a storm drain from Cleveland and Buchanan to address existing valley‑gutter and ramp challenges. She also recommended a lighting study and identified two locations for closer review: north of Washington and near the Buchanan spur crossing.

Next steps: staff asked the commission to provide final comments on the draft plans; the project is expected to return to the commission next summer for a council recommendation, with advertisement and construction targeted for 2026.