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Please visit www.ccta.net for more information. UPDATED: MARCH 2010 CONTRA COSTA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (CCTA) Project Purpose & Status Stakeholders I-80/Central Avenue Interchange Improvement Project Project 1: Operational Modifications As the primary roadway connecting the El Cerrito Plaza BART station with Interstate 80 and 580, Central Avenue is a key commuter corridor. It also serves as an important local route, connecting commercial areas and local neighborhoods. However, the 0.1 mile (500 foot) section of Central Avenue between Jacuzzi and Pierce Streets is the site of significant congestion, especially during peak weekend commute times. The congestion results from the lack of adequate turn lanes/pockets and the close spacing of signalized intersections along Central Avenue. Seeking to enhance mobility by relieving congestion in the project area, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, their consultant team and Caltrans evaluated several alternatives to modify the freeway interchange to improve surface flow and held public meetings to gather input from the community. However, modifying the interchange has proved unattainable due to a combination of geometric and cost constraints. Instead, the following two projects have been proposed to work in tandem to reduce traffic congestion and vehicle queuing on Central Avenue: the Operational Modifications Project and the Local Roads Realignment Project. Alternative Development 2007 Public Open House 2007 Feasibility Study 2009 Incorporation into ICM Project 2009 Public Open House 2010 Operational Modifications Complete ICM Environ. Doc. 2010 Construction 2011 Local Roads Realignment Begin Environ. Doc. 2010/2011 Construction 2014/2015 N NO SCALE Contra Costa County RICHMOND Eastshore State Park U.P. Railroad 580 INTERSTATE 80 INTERSTATE Rydin Rd. Central Ave. Central Ave. San Joaquin St. St. Pierce Jacuzzi St. San Mateo St. City Limit EL CERRITO San Pablo Ave. Carlson Blvd. Add new Road Signalize intersection and add left turn lane on westbound Central Avenue Remove signal; No left turn Signalize Signalize Close I-80 WB on ramp during peak weekend hours using electronic signage Project 1: Operational Project 2: Local Roads Realignment C A L I F O R N I A 123 Project Area The proposed Operational Modifications Project calls for eliminating use of the westbound I-80 on-ramp during peak weekend commute times. Electronic signs will be used to redirect traffic to the nearby I-580 interchange, including westbound Central Avenue traffic. Additionally, new traffic signals will be installed along Central Avenue at the I-580 ramps to handle the redirected traffic. The project is expected to be completed as part of the I-80 Integrated Corridor Mobility (ICM) Project currently under development with the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency and Caltrans. Caltrans is leading the development of the Environmental Document for the ICM Project which is expected to be released in May 2010 for public review. A major factor in the local roadway congestion along Central Avenue is the concentration of 11 roadway intersections and 6 traffic signals in less than 2,500 feet between Jacuzzi Street, San Joaquin Street and San Pablo Avenue. To relieve this bottleneck, the Cities of El Cerrito and Richmond will lead the proposed Local Roadway Realignment efforts, which will include the following: Project 2: Local Roads Realignment Project Milestones Constructing a new road to connect Pierce Street and • San Mateo Street Changing Pierce Street and San Luis Street access at • Central Avenue to “right in/right out” only Eliminating the traffic signal at the Pierce Street and • Central Avenue intersection Constructing a new traffic signal, with a left-turn pocket • on westbound Central Avenue, at San Mateo Street Project Costs In response to community input gathered at the public meetings for the project, low-cost fixes based on signal and access modifications were developed. Operational Modifications: $2M Local Roads Realignment: $17M