Every week, two Oaklanders are killed or severely injured in traffic crashes on city streets. With just 6% of Oakland’s streets responsible for over 60% of our traffic deaths and severe injuries, the Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT) is focused on advancing transformative projects to reimagine and re-design streets on this High Injury Network to prevent the unacceptable loss of life on our streets.
Located on the High Injury Network and serving some of Oakland’s highest priority equity neighborhoods, Mayor Sheng Thao, Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas, and City Council Members Carroll Fife, Dan Kalb, Janani Ramachandran, and Noel Gallo gathered today to break ground on the $20.9 million 14th Street Safety - Safe Routes in the City project, which will implement improved pedestrian crossings, sidewalk improvements, separated bike lanes, landscaping, enhanced bus boarding islands and shelters, protected intersections, traffic signal and street lighting upgrades, community-led public art installations, a comprehensive parking management plan, and much more on 14th Street from Brush Street to Lakeside Drive/Oak Street.
Between 2019 and 2023, OakDOT worked with residents, small businesses, and other stakeholders in the 14th Street Project Area to refine the project design and implementation plan. The City Council voted to approve the project's final design in June 2022, which integrated numerous additions from the community outreach process including additional public realm and street light improvements, funding set aside for the City's Public Art Program to install community-led public art on the corridor, and a comprehensive parking management plan.
The $20.9 million 14th Street Safety - Safe Routes in the City Project is funded in partnership with the Alameda County Transportation Commission, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, California Transportation Commission, California Strategic Growth Council, and by the 2016 Oakland Infrastructure Bond Measure KK.
“Today we are delivering on our promise to Oaklanders for safer, calmer streets,” said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “The transformation of 14th Street through the heart of Downtown Oakland will not only improve safety but also create an inviting atmosphere to visit our local shops, restaurants, and other businesses.”
“I am excited that the upgrades to 14th Street will help better connect the West Oakland residents I represent to Downtown and Lake Merritt,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “This project will deliver pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities that reflect current complete streets design best practices, as well as a comprehensive plan to support our local business owners and employees who may still need to drive in the area.”
“Our vibrant local businesses along 14th Street and in Chinatown deserve calm, safe streets for their customers,” said Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas. “I’m proud to support this project to make it safer for our elders, children, and families who walk and bike throughout Downtown and Chinatown.”
“We thank Oaklanders for supporting Measure KK and the more recent Measure U,” said Fred Kelley, Director of OakDOT. “These infrastructure bonds enable us to deliver transformative projects like 14th Street that Oaklanders deserve.”
Construction of the project is expected to be completed by Fall 2025. To learn more about the 14th Street Safe Routes in the City Project and sign up for project construction updates, visit https://www.oaklandca.gov/projects/14th-street.