Albany commission endorses San Pablo parallel bike project, asks staff to clear encroachment permit
Loading...
Summary
Alameda CTC presented design updates for two San Pablo corridor projects and the commission voted unanimously to recommend the city authorize an encroachment permit so construction can proceed on the parallel bike improvements, with timing to be coordinated around other city projects.
Alameda County Transportation Commission staff asked Albany’s Transportation Commission to recommend the city authorize an encroachment permit for the San Pablo Avenue parallel bike improvements, and the commission approved the request unanimously.
Matt Bomberg of Alameda CTC presented design and schedule details for two corridor projects affecting Albany: the parallel bike improvements (seeking action) and a separate safety-enhancements project (informational). Bomberg said the parallel project is fully funded, largely designed and expected to be advertised for construction this summer, with construction starting late 2026 or 2027 after contract award. He described treatments including flashing beacons, video detection zones, two-stage turn boxes for cyclists, concrete islands to replace flexible bollards and targeted protected bikeways at offset intersections.
"We are seeking approval of the parallel bike project at this point," Bomberg told commissioners, explaining the commission’s recommendation would allow the county-designated contractor to pull an encroachment permit from the city and avoid delays once a contractor is on board.
Commissioners focused questions on detection reliability, sightlines, signal timing and how the project will be sequenced with other city work. Staff said video detection will be combined with push-button or loop detection as redundancy and that some locations will use loop detection where Caltrans maintenance rules limit additional signal equipment.
During public comment, Carrie Shulman, who lives near Marin and uses a bike to travel with her children, praised the proposed detector indicator light and urged the city to reduce car traffic on some bike boulevards. "Not getting detected is really frustrating and can tempt cyclists to run red lights," she said, urging that the detection be set so some cyclists can get a green without stopping.
After discussion, a commissioner moved and the commission voted by roll call to recommend the City Council authorize staff to issue the encroachment permit for the project. Commissioners Barnes, Kerr, McCroskey, Zuba and Chair Heilig each voted yes.
The commission’s recommendation does not itself start construction; Bomberg and Albany staff said the county’s contractor will still need to be selected and the city must coordinate permitting and traffic-control requirements, particularly to avoid overlap with a city sewer replacement project on Marin Avenue.
