Credit Caltrans
[Update May 9, 2018] The new protected intersection is now open! This safe and family friendly bike connection was made possible with the support of Bike East Bay members. Become a member today to make the East Bay a great place to bike.
A gap in the San Francisco Bay Trail in Richmond has now been upgraded with a protected intersection. Currently, the trail crosses diagonally across the busy intersection of Central Avenue and Rydin Street. The location is also an on-ramp for the 580 freeway, making it a confusing and heavily trafficked trail crossing. The trail upgrades will help people walking and biking the trail near a Costco warehouse store and the Point Isabel Dog Park.
Bike East Bay and our partners convinced the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to upgrade the trail thanks in part to the success of Pleasanton’s new protected intersection along the Iron Horse Trail. Following that example, this busy Bay Trail intersection has been improved with protective flex posts at two of the corners, green-painted bike crossings, and better signage. The Bay Trail was also extended 100 yards south to full reach the intersection. Future upgrades include a new traffic light and more substantial concrete barriers.
The project is being coordinated by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), with whom Bike East Bay has started quarterly meetings to go over project designs for projects such as this one. We are also meeting with the CCTA to discuss bike safety improvements at Hillcrest Avenue in Antioch, the 242/Concord Avenue on-ramps, and a planned freeway interchange improvement at SR 4/680, where we will be asking for a bike path connecting Pleasant Hill and Concord. Stay tuned for updates on these projects.
Bike East Bay thanks our partners at Trails for Richmond Action Committee, Association of Bay Area Governments and the City of Richmond for joining our call for safety improvements on this section of the Bay Trail.
