![\"Image:](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/73rd-ave-median-path-rendering.jpg\" "\\"Image:")
<\/p>\nProject TypeTransportation<\/p>\n
Project StatusIn Process<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Image: rendering of a proposed median path on 73rd Avenue.<\/p>\n
Safety and comfort for East Oaklanders walking or biking to transit centers.<\/p>\n
Latest Update<\/p>\n
Draft designs (65% concept designs) are available for public review now. See the latest designs here \u2192(PDF,\u00a04MB)<\/a>\n<\/p>\n As of Spring 2026, OakDOT is applying for funding through the Active Transportation Program Cycle 8 grant to implement the 73rd Avenue Active Routes to Transit project. A median path design was selected by community members in 2024. Construction for this project is tentatively estimated to cost $40 million.<\/p>\n Sign up for Email Updates<\/a><\/p>\n Project Scope<\/p>\n The City of Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT) is designing a new median path, amenities for bus riders, and safety improvements for the 73rd Avenue Active Routes to Transit project. This project spans one mile from MacArthur Boulevard to International Boulevard. It connects to many transit options, including the Eastmont Transit Center, AC Transit Tempo at International Boulevard, and the Coliseum BART Station.<\/p>\n Draft designs (65% concept designs) are available for public review now.\u00a0See the latest designs here \u2192(PDF,\u00a04MB)<\/a><\/p>\n The 73rd Avenue Active Routes to Transit project includes improvements for:<\/p>\n (new!) Median Path<\/p>\n A shared-use path in a wider median in the middle of the street\u2014separated from cars and just for people walking and biking Transit Improvements<\/p>\n Bus boarding platforms Safety Improvements<\/p>\n Shorter, high-visibility crossings (including signalized crossings for the median path) OakDOT is advancing the median path design option as a direct result of community\u00a0feedback. OakDOT conducted additional outreach, including follow-up meetings and mailings to 2,000 residents and businesses. The project received letters of support for grant applications from 5 elementary and middle schools, advocacy organizations, the Oakland Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities, and Councilmembers Rowena Brown (at-large), Kevin Jenkins (District 6), Loren Taylor (former District 6), and Treva Reid (former District 7).<\/p>\n Previously, OakDOT engaged with community members in Spring 2024 to create a design that meets the needs of East Oaklanders. Activities included:<\/p>\n February 22: Door-knocking campaign reaching nearly 200 homes, businesses, churches, and apartments, including Eastmont Town Center and Eastmont Branch Library. March: Meetings with Neighborhood Councils 30Y and 30X, school staff and parents at Markham Elementary, Liberation Park developers, Akoma Market organizers, and agency partners including AC Transit and the Oakland Fire Department.<\/p>\n Online Survey<\/p>\n In March 2024, 680 community members participated in an online survey to evaluate three design options, including 279 residents living within \u00bc mile of the corridor. Survey respondents\u00a0strongly supported the median path design option by a factor of more than two to one.<\/p>\n Read more about the online survey results in the April 2024 Design Selection Presentation(PPTX,\u00a051MB)<\/a>.<\/p>\n Background<\/p>\n Street Extents Length Cross Speed Bike 73rd Avenue is a one-mile corridor between MacArthur Boulevard and International Boulevard in East Oakland. There are standard bike lanes (without a buffer) on most of the street. Over 50 years ago, 73rd Avenue and the connecting Hegenberger Road were envisioned as an expressway<\/a> connecting I-880 and I-580. In the 1970s, the City of Oakland displaced dozens of residents to rebuild and widen the street. Today, the corridor is over 100 feet and as many as six lanes wide.<\/p>\n All of 73rd Avenue is on Oakland\u2019s 2024 High Injury Network<\/a>, or the 8% of streets responsible for 60% of severe and fatal crashes in Oakland. Pedestrians and bicyclists are especially vulnerable. From 2019 to 2023, there were 161 injury crashes on 73rd Avenue, including 10 that resulted in a death or serious injury. Unsafe driving speeds were a primary factor in 27% of injury crashes, more than any other factor. (Source: SWITRS<\/a>)<\/p>\n Community members also told OakDOT that speeding and aggressive driving is a major issue. The speed limit on 73rd Avenue is 30 mph. * In winter\u00a02026, a speed camera at Krause Ave\u00a0captured 320 drivers a day<\/a> speeding an\u00a0average of 13.2 mph above the speed limit.<\/p>\n There are many transit options on 73rd Avenue, including the Eastmont Transit Center, AC Transit Tempo at International Boulevard, the Coliseum BART Station, and the Coliseum Amtrak Station. The Eastmont Transit Center serves 13 AC Transit bus lines, including Lines 73, 657, and 805 which travel on 73rd Avenue. People walking or biking may access the Coliseum BART and Amtrak stations through existing Bike Routes on 69th and 71st Avenues.<\/p>\n Past Planning<\/p>\n 2019 \u201cLet\u2019s Bike Oakland\u201d Bicycle Plan<\/a><\/p>\n OakDOT partnered with East Oakland Collective, Scraper Bike\u00a0Team, and other Oakland non-profits to identify priorities. A survey representative of Central East Oakland\u00a0residents found that:<\/p>\n 63% said they are interested in bicycling or feel comfortable biking in their neighborhood. The 2019 Bike Plan recommended buffered bike lanes on 73rd Avenue as a future project.<\/p>\n 2021 East Oakland Neighborhoods Initiative<\/a><\/p>\n The City of Oakland collaborated with 12 East Oakland\u00a0community-based organizations, hosting 20 in-person meetings in Coliseum, Havenscourt, and nearby\u00a0neighborhoods. Residents prioritized:<\/p>\n Slower, safer traffic and reduced speeding. 2022 East Oakland Mobility Action Plan<\/a><\/p>\n Building on previous planning efforts, EOMAP identified 73rd\u00a0Avenue as East Oakland\u2019s top transportation priority project. OakDOT partnered with East Oakland\u00a0Collective, TransForm, and Just Cities, supported by a Community Advisory Committee of residents\u00a0representing Black Cultural Zone, Allen Temple Baptist Church, Roots Community Health, and other\u00a0groups to ensure community priorities guided transportation investments.<\/p>\n Funding<\/p>\n As of Spring 2026, OakDOT is applying for funding through the California Transportation Commission Active Transportation Program (ATP)<\/a> Cycle 8 to implement the 73rd Avenue Active Routes to Transit project with a median path design selected by community members in 2024. Construction for this project is tentatively estimated to cost $40 million.<\/p>\n In 2024-2025, OakDOT applied to but was not awarded ATP Cycle 7 grant funds. Although the project received a high score of 94, limited funds in Cycle 7 meant that only applications with a score of 95 or higher were awarded funding.<\/p>\n OakDOT also applied to but was not awarded ATP Cycle 6 grant funds with a previous buffered bike lane design.<\/p>\n Frequently Asked Questions<\/p>\n How did OakDOT decide on a Median Path design?<\/p>\n In March 2024, 680 community members participated in an online survey comparing three design options for 73rd Avenue. Over half of community members supported a median path design and said it would significantly benefit people walking or biking, and somewhat benefit bus riders or drivers.<\/p>\n Read more about the online survey results in the May 2024 Design Selection Presentation<\/a>.<\/p>\n How will construction be funded for this project?<\/p>\n As of Spring 2026, OakDOT is applying for funding through the California Transportation Commission Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 8 to implement the 73rd Avenue Active Routes to Transit project with a median path design selected by community members in 2024. Construction for this project is tentatively estimated to cost $40 million.<\/p>\n In 2024-2025, OakDOT applied to but was not awarded ATP Cycle 7 grant funds. Although the project received a high score of 94, limited funds in Cycle 7 meant that only applications with a score of 95 or higher were awarded funding.<\/p>\n How can I submit feedback about designs or other parts of this project?<\/p>\n Draft designs (65% concept designs) are available for public review now.\u00a0See the latest designs here \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n
\n New crossings with signals for the median path
\n Street trees, landscaping, lighting, and seating<\/p>\n
\n Realigned bus stops for better bus service
\n Better connections to Eastmont Transit Center, AC Transit Tempo, Coliseum BART, and Amtrak<\/p>\n
\n Narrower and calmer traffic lanes
\n A\u00a0new traffic signal\u00a0near Markham Elementary (at Krause Ave)<\/p>\n
\n Mid-February: Mailers sent to 2,000 residents and businesses near the project.
\n March 13: Pop-up outreach to transit riders at Coliseum BART Station.<\/p>\n
Name
\n 73rd Avenue<\/p>\n
\n MacArthur Blvd
International Blvd<\/p>\n
\n 1 mile<\/p>\n
Section
\n 100+ ft wide
4-6 lanes<\/p>\n
Limit
\n 30 mph
\n Actual
Speed *
\n 43.2 mph<\/p>\n
Facility
\n Class 2 Standard
Bike Lanes (no buffer)\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n \u00a082% saw aggressive drivers as a barrier to biking.<\/p>\n
\n Better access to transit, schools, and community resources.
\n Concerns about potential traffic impacts and displacement associated with bike lanes.<\/p>\n