Published Thursday, August 19, 2004, in the Contra Costa Times
Public input sought on Albany traffic project
By Alan Lopez
Albany -- Residents have until Sept. 15 to comment on a negative
declaration Berkeley and Albany intend to file for a Marin Avenue
traffic project. The project would decrease the number of traffic
lanes from four to three and install bike lanes on Marin Avenue
from San Pablo Avenue to The Alameda.
The proposal calls for a one-year trial project to allow for the
monitoring of the reconfiguration of Marin Avenue in both Albany
and Berkeley. Albany officials would then determine whether it is
feasible to implement the second phase, which consists of more
permanent infrastructure.
A negative declaration says that the project would have no
unmitigatable effects on the surrounding area. Both city councils
will have to approve the declaration before the project can move
forward.
Copies of the negative declaration for public review are available
at the community development department at Albany City Hall, 1000
San Pablo Ave.; the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave.; the Berkeley
Office of Transportation, 1947 Center St., third floor; and the
Berkeley Central Library, 2090 Kittredge St.
There will be meetings about the project on Sept. 23 with the Albany
Traffic Commission and on Oct. 21 with the Berkeley Transportation
Commission. Public hearings with the city councils of both cities
will be scheduled for the fall.
For information, call the Albany planning department at 510-528-5760
or Berkeley transportation planner Heath Maddox at 510-981-7062.
El Cerrito Ohlone Greenway upgrades planned
The city is working on a plan to upgrade the Ohlone Greenway
with safety improvements including emergency phones and possibly
surveillance cameras, moving the pedestrian path to be adjacent to
the bikeway, and improving and expanding children's play areas.
The plan also includes adding restrooms, drinking fountains,
interpretive signs, an enclosed dog run, sitting and picnicking
areas and infrastructure and landscaping improvements. The plan
was released in a memo by Public Works Manager Jerry Bradshaw.
Bradshaw also reports that the city has had a 10 percent increase
in the weight of recycled material collected in 2003. The city's
recycling center recycled 4,668 tons of material in 2003. Bradshaw
credits the city's change to a two-bin recycling program.
