1. What is the 40th Street Multimodal Project?

The 40th Street Multimodal Project is a transformative active transportation project designed to improve safety, reduce congestion, and enhance access for all users - pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and drivers - along the 40th Street and Shellmound Street corridors. The project includes:

• A two-way Class IV bikeway on the north side of 40th Street.
• Bus-only lanes to improve transit efficiency.
• Safety improvements at key intersections, including partial and full closures of unsignalized side streets.

The project aligns with the Safe System Approach, adopted by the FHWA and California, to reduce serious injuries and fatalities by designing roads that are forgiving of human error. The Safe System Approach proactively addresses vulnerable road user safety by reducing speed, removing conflicts, and separating users in space and time.

2. Why is this project necessary?

The project addresses long-standing safety issues and risk, particularly at unsignalized intersections, and supports the anticipated growth from developments like the Novartis Campus and The Emery. It also aligns with regional and City goals to promote sustainable transportation options, including walking, biking, and public transit.

Bus Travel Times:

• Bus travel times on 40th Street will improve with the project.
• Minor delays at the Transit Hub on San Pablo Avenue are expected due to a new signal phase separating high volumes of pedestrians, cyclists, and right-turning vehicles.

Safe System Approach:

• The Safe System Approach proactively addresses vulnerable road user safety by reducing speed, removing conflicts, and separating users in space and time. Currently, pedestrians and bicyclists using the corridor are confronted with Class II bike lanes with no intersection treatments or dedicated bicycle signal phasing, pedestrian facilities that do not meet accessibility standards, and inadequate crosswalks and sidewalks. As noted in Caltrans DIB 94, Class II bike lanes are not appropriate for the speed and volume of the corridor. Additionally, the wide pedestrian crossings increase exposure, and the cross slopes do not meet the needs of community members with disabilities. Lack of bicycle treatments at intersections increases the risk of right-hook and left-hook bicycle-vehicle collisions at intersections.

3. Why are side street closures necessary?

The proposed closures at Hubbard Street, Haven Street, Holden Street, and Watts Street are based on extensive traffic and safety analyses. These changes will:

• Reduce conflicts between vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
• Improve safety for vulnerable road users, particularly at intersections with high crash rates.
• Improve sight lines between drivers and cyclists using the cycletrack.
• Maintain access for emergency vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Council Approval: In March 2020, the Council originally approved the concept design plan for the 40th Street Multimodal Project. Since then, the Council has considered and approved in concept certain modifications to the plan. For example, at the July 18, 2023 City Council Meeting, the City Council approved the concept of closing the unsignalized intersections of Hubbard Street and Haven Street on the north side of 40th Street, and the concept of partial southbound closures at the unsignalized intersections of Holden Street and Watts Street on the north side of 40th Street as a part of the 40th Street Multimodal Project. These concepts have been developed into 95% design plans with traffic and safety analysis to support the proposed closures. While the Council has given conceptual approval to staff to prepare analyses for these modifications to the project, it has not yet given final approval of these modifications. As further explained below, the Council will be asked to consider final approval sometime in Fall 2025.

• Hubbard Street: A cul-de-sac will eliminate right-turn conflicts, addressing safety concerns for cyclists traveling downhill from the 40th-Shellmound Bridge. This intersections has potential collision factors such as speed of downhill bicycle combined with left-turn and right-turn hook conflicts at the Target driveway.
  • This change follows the Safe System Approach by proactively removing safety risk from the south side of the intersection. The design of the northside intersection addresses the following concerns from stakeholders and decision-makers:
    • 1. Eastbound bicycle riders traveling at high speeds down the Shellmound Bridge (greater than 5% grade) and conflicting with eastbound vehicles turning right to and from Hubbard Street.
    • 2. Westbound bicycle riders having a right-turn hook conflict with eastbound vehicles.
    • 3. Trees, poles, and signage constraining sight lines between drivers turning right from Hubbard Street and all bicycle riders.
    • 4. The bus lane that ends at Hubbard Street, where buses merge into the one shared mixed-flow lane over the bridge, increases rear-end crash potential with right turning traffic onto Hubbard Street.
• Holden Street: Raised crosswalks and cycle tracks will slow turning vehicles and improve visibility for cyclists.
• Haven Street: A cul-de-sac will eliminate all right-turn conflicts.
  • This change follows the Safe System Approach by proactively removing safety risk, and addresses the following concerns from stakeholders and decision-makers:
    • 1. Eastbound bicycle riders and conflicting with vehicles turning right to and from Haven Street.
    • 2. Westbound bicycle riders having a right-turn hook conflict with eastbound vehicles.
    • 3. Trees, poles, and signage constraining sight lines between drivers turning right from Haven Street and all bicycle riders.
• Watts Street: Raised crosswalks and cycle tracks will slow turning vehicles and improve visibility for cyclists.

4. What outreach has been done to date and what public meetings are there where this project has been discussed?

The City has conducted extensive outreach and public meetings to ensure the project reflects community needs and concerns:

• Community Workshop in August 2018.
• Intercept Surveys at bus stops Fall 2018
• 612 postcards and 460 mailers sent to residents and businesses.
• 15 in-person meetings with 42 stakeholders.
• 4 virtual workshops with 22 participants.
• 203 survey responses, with over 30% of car commuters indicating they would consider biking if safety improved.
• Workshops and Group Meetings on side street closures, per City Council direction.
• Public feedback incorporated into the final design.
• One-on-one meetings with property owners directly affected by closures.

This project has been discussed at numerous City Council, Transportation Committee, and Planning Commission meetings. Please see the Council & Committee History tab on the left-hand side of this page for more details.

5. What do the traffic analysis findings show?

The Traffic Analysis for the 40th Street Multimodal Project confirms that the proposed changes will improve safety and traffic flow. Key findings include:

• No Significant Congestion:
  • Overall intersection delays along 40th Street will remain at 55 seconds or better during peak hours.
  • Intersections at Park Avenue and Hollis Street will operate at 20 seconds or better, with no significant congestion expected.
• Bus Travel Times:
  • Bus travel times on 40th Street will improve with the project.
  • Minor delays at the Transit Hub on San Pablo Avenue are expected due to a new signal phase separating high volumes of pedestrians, cyclists, and right-turning vehicles.
• Safety Improvements:
  • The project will reduce conflicts at unsignalized intersections, particularly for cyclists and pedestrians.
  • Over a 5-year period, the corridor experienced 12 vehicle-cyclist and vehicle-pedestrian collisions, highlighting the need for safety upgrades.
• Multimodal Operations:
  • Simulations using Vissim software show that the project will enhance multimodal traffic flow during peak hours.

For more details, see the Traffic Analysis Reports linked here:

• Part I: 40th Street Traffic Analysis
• Part II: Shellmound Street Traffic Analysis

6. Will there be U-turn points for large delivery vehicles?

Yes, the project includes considerations for large delivery vehicles at all intersections and turnarounds at closure areas within the project’s area. The design accommodates the needs of various delivery vehicles, including:

• Large Box Delivery Trucks (e.g., UPS Trucks): The designed cul-de-sac will accommodate a U-turn for an SU-30 truck, which is essentially the size of a larger UPS truck. This ensures that these vehicles can safely navigate the area without significant disruptions.
• 18-Wheelers and Flatbeds: For larger flatbed trucks, multi-point turns will be required. These vehicles will need to utilize the driveways or loading docks of the property they are serving to complete their maneuvers safely.
• Hubbard Street: During the engineering study, it was observed that the vast majority of deliveries to Hubbard Street were made by large box trucks. The design team has taken this into account to ensure that these vehicles can operate efficiently in the area.

Specific measures, such as additional stop signs at Park Street, are being evaluated to ensure safe maneuvering for 18-wheelers and other large vehicles. The design team is working closely with businesses to address these needs and minimize disruptions.

7. What is the budget and staffing for enforcement of additional parklets?

Emeryville has an active and thorough encampment outreach program which we will continue to employ. The City contracts with Operation Dignity to provide support services to individuals experiencing homelessness in Emeryville. Emeryville has seen a decrease year over year since 2019 in counts of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The Alameda County Point-in-Time (PIT) Count Program in Emeryville found 178 persons in 2019 and 38 persons in 2024. Overall, Alameda County went from 6,312 persons in 2019 to 6,242 persons in 2024.

• https://homelessness.acgov.org/homelessness-assets/docs/infographic/Emeryville%20PIT%202024%20Infographic.pdf
• https://homelessness.acgov.org/homelessness-assets/docs/infographic/Alameda%20County%202024%20PIT%20Homelessness%20Report%20-%20FINAL%20.pdf

The design elements incorporated into the project at the partial and full closure areas are intended to maximize visibility, ensuring that activities are easily observed by passersby, businesses, and law enforcement. The parklets are being designed to ensure that parklets enhance the quality of life for our residents and businesses. This includes strategic placement of lighting, clear sightlines, and open layouts. Pleasant paths help guide users’ movements around and through the area between public and private property.

8. How will parking enforcement and permitting be handled?

There will be red curbs implemented within the project areas for daylighting, clear sight-distances, and turn around areas at closure sites. Parking regulations will continue with our existing parking enforcement program. Parking enforcement officers will increase patrols and monitoring to ensure compliance with new parking restrictions once the project is built.Ongoing engagement with businesses and residents will be done to address specific concerns. New requests for yellow (commercial loading), green (short duration parking), and white (passenger loading) zones are possible by requests and business needs in the area. Staff will bring any changes/requests for curb color changes to the Transportation and Sustainability Committee for consideration and approval.

9. What are the next steps?

• Current Step:
  • Environmental Review: City’s Project Team and Caltrans are finalizing the necessary studies in order to complete CEQA/NEPA clearance.
• Next Steps:
  • Project Update for City Council in March 2025.
  • Summer/Fall 2025: Environmental clearance (CEQA/NEPA).
  • Fall 2025: City Council Approval of Final Scope of Work
  • Late 2025: Design Finalization and Advertising Project for Bids.
  • Late 2025: Council Award of Construction Contract
  • Early 2026: Construction begins.

10. How can I stay informed?

Visit this 40th Street Multimodal Project webpage for updates, staff reports, and resolutions.

Sign up for the City’s Newsflash for the latest project news.

Contact the City’s Project Manager, Ryan O’Connell, at roconnell@emeryville.org with questions.