The improvements identified between Country Drive and Grimmer Boulevard can be divided into three main categories:  

1. Traffic safety, operation, and traffic signal improvements at signalized intersections including the construction of a dedicated southbound right turn lane at Fremont Boulevard/Mowry Avenue intersection;
2. New protected bikeways between signalized intersections; and
3. Improvements to address existing pavement deficiencies, repair existing sidewalks, and upgrade existing landscaping

Fremont Boulevard/Mowry Avenue Intersection

The project will address an existing deficiency at the Fremont Boulevard/Mowry Avenue intersection and will provide a dedicated right turn pocket for the southbound Fremont Blvd approach to address the delay and queuing currently experienced by motorists.  The new dedicated right turn lane is expected to greatly improve the traffic operations for the southbound Fremont Blvd approach.  (click on each exhibit to expand for better viewing.):




It is important to note that while the addition of a dedicated right turn lane in the southbound direction will result in significant reduction in average delay experienced by southbound motorists in the morning and afternoon peak periods (up to 49.4% reduction in average delay during the morning peak period), the project elements are not expected to result in any changes to the operation or average delay for the remaining three approaches at Fremont Boulevard/Mowry Avenue intersection.

Other Intersection Safety Improvements

The project is also proposing intersection safety improvements at Fremont Boulevard/Beacon Avenue, Fremont Boulevard/Sundale Drive, and Fremont Boulevard/Bidwell Drive intersections to improve pedestrian and bicycle access, safety, while maintaining or improving side street traffic access onto Fremont Boulevard.  Removal of vehicle right turn lanes or “slip lanes” are being proposed for right turn movements with low traffic demand, which in return allows for enlarged curb returns that provides greater separation between waiting pedestrians, bicyclists and turning vehicles.  Furthermore, reduced vehicle lane widths will be implemented as feasible to encourage slower vehicle approach speeds at each intersection.  The proposed improvements at each intersection are identified in the following exhibits below (click on each exhibit to expand for better viewing):

The City conducted extensive traffic analysis to ensure that the proposed intersection designs at Beacon Avenue, Sundale Drive, and Bidwell Drive intersections achieve the right balance for all roadway users.  The proposed intersection designs will accommodate vehicular traffic demand, manage traffic queue, and improve bicycle/pedestrian access and safety.  A before-and-after analysis of the intersection operations was conducted for the proposed improvements and are summarized in the table below:

The estimated cost of the project is $ 14 million.  The project is fully funded through a combination of transportation grant funds secured by the City from Federal, Regional, and County sources, as well as through close collaboration with Alameda County   

Transportation Commission (ACTC) and BART.  Local funds are used as matching funds for the secured grant funding.