Community survey results indicate program is well received across the City, but more representative participation sought to inform next week’s plans
Oakland, CA - The City of Oakland announced today an additional five miles of streets to receive soft closures under the Oakland Slow Streets program. On Friday, May 1 these streets will receive barriers, cones and signage indicating they are closed to through traffic to support additional room for physical distancing under the Alameda Counter shelter-in-place order
The City launched this program on April 10 to support physically distant essential travel on foot, wheelchair, and bicycle, and survey results continue to show strong support for the program and expansions -- more than 75% of survey respondents thus far expressed support of the program.
The Slow Streets program has installed about 9 miles of soft closures on eight routes throughout the City. The City is pleased to share five additional miles of soft closures on six routes (interactive map available on the program webpage, www.staging.oaklandca.gov/projects/oakland-slow-streets):
- 16th St (Wood St to West St)
- 34th Ave / Davis St / Humboldt Ave (Foothill Blvd to School St)
- 59th St / Howell St / Ayala Ave / Forest St (Adeline St to Claremont Ave)
- Alice St (11th St to 19th St)
- Colby St (Woolsey St to Claremont Ave)
- Wayne Ave / Athol Ave / Wayne Pl / E 19th St (Hanover Ave to 13th Ave)
The City selected the streets based on technical studies, a community survey and input from community leaders. A comprehensive overview of survey results to-date is attached to this release and available on the program website.
While all of the potential future streets shared last week received overwhelming support for soft closures, responses haven’t been representative of all Oaklanders. Those responding were more likely to be White, have high incomes and live in North Oakland. However, data from Alameda County Public Health Department’s COVID-19 dashboard indicates that East Oaklanders and people of color are more likely to suffer harm from this pandemic. Over the last few weeks Oakland Slow Streets staff have been working to address this divide by engaging community-based organizations in East Oakland and other vulnerable neighborhoods, and working together to disseminate surveys and ensure that any COVID-19-related transportation solutions are meeting community members’ needs during this pandemic.
We continue to encourage community members to share their feedback on Slow Streets and the desire for additional streets. These survey results will continue to inform the City’s implementation of an additional 4-5 miles next Friday, May 8th.
- To share feedback on potential next streets, please go online to take this survey by end-of-day on Monday, May 4: https://tinyurl.com/nextslowstreets (or contact OAK311 via phone)
- To share feedback on the program overall, please go online to take this survey: https://tinyurl.com/oaklandslowstreets (or contact OAK311 via phone)
The survey results and continued engagement will assist the City in developing solutions that meet the needs of all our residents—especially our most vulnerable—during the COVID-19 pandemic. As needs continue to evolve rapidly, the City is working to keep pace and nimbly make adjustments, and will provide an update on future steps as soon as possible. Survey results received so far have been summarized and are posted on the Oakland Slow Streets program website.
Oakland Slow Streets is intended to promote physical distancing of at least 6 feet by creating new low-traffic, low speed streets to allow residents to safely pass one another. Social gatherings on these streets are prohibited. The Alameda County Public Health Department recommends that residents wear face masks while in public. All users over 12 years old should wear or carry face masks and use them when within 6 feet of others, even when walking, jogging and bicycling. The City of Oakland will continue to monitor CDC guidance on outdoor recreation, transportation, and physical distancing, and will adjust this program as needed.
To provide general feedback about how this program can best serve your neighborhood, please contact OAK311 by dialing 311 or 510-615-5566, e-mailing OAK311@staging.oaklandca.gov, going online to 311.staging.oaklandca.gov, or using the free OAK311 mobile app for Apple and Android devices. You can also post on social media using the #OaklandSlowStreets hashtag.
For additional program information and the interactive location map, please visit: https://www.staging.oaklandca.gov/projects/oakland-slow-streets