The California Transportation Commission recently approved $175 million to relieve truck traffic congestion around the Port of Oakland and build a new bicycle path.
“We would like to thank the state for approving $175 million to advance the 7th Street Grade Separation East Project. The project will improve port operations and safety, and also provides a new high-quality bicycle and pedestrian pathway connecting the community to the waterfront and recreational facilities. The project includes greening requested by the West Oakland community to reduce impacts of goods movement and improve public health,” Alameda County Transportation Commission chair John J. Bauters reportedly said.
The Port of Oakland has come under fire during the last two years over a series of controversies. Oakland officials allotted a portion of the working waterfront to build a Major League Baseball stadium for the A’s and condos. The move funnels taxpayer dollars into a project that reduces the available acreage surrounding the port and impedes its ability to move freight.
Problems over agricultural exports plagued the port. Growers and ranchers grew frustrated that empty containers were being shipped out while perishable goods suffered delays. Agricultural businesses reportedly pivoted away from the Port of Oakland over concerns their products would spoil before reaching their final destination. Truckers protested the enactment of the AB5 law that effectively bans owner-operators in the Golden State, temporarily shutting down the facility.
The $175 million project is expected to realign and rebuild a truck route into the port. How much of the funds are earmarked to benefit freight transportation is unclear. But the mixed-bag project continues to position the Port of Oakland as a recreational area in which biking, walking, and baseball are prioritized. Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan put a positive spin on the trucking infrastructure gain included in the funding.
“The modernization of this gateway into the maritime area will enhance the flow of traffic in and out of the port, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by curtailing the time trucks spend here, which is important for public health,” Wan reportedly said. “As we build for the next generation, improving infrastructure around the port supports safer transportation, improved operations, jobs and positive economic impact.”
Container volume at the port ticked up in October by 5.9 percent compared to the same period in 2021, with exports up 4.8 percent. West Coast ports have experienced relatively consistent declines in recent months as imports shift to the less congested Gulf and East Coast. Officials largely agree that California ports have lost favor with importers due to bottlenecks and cost.
“Although we anticipate that overall cargo will decline on the West Coast in the coming months, the recent uptick in volume at Oakland is welcome news, especially on the export side,” Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes reportedly said.
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