Near-term and long-term plans for Fernside were approved by Council in March of 2025. If you’ve been wondering what’s been happening since then, read on!
Near-Term Improvements are Underway
Near-term improvements on Fernside Avenue are now underway as part of the city’s Pavement Management Project, Phase 44. This work covers the stretch between Versailles and High and includes pavement repairs (slurry seal), followed by new striping for buffered bike lanes, marked crosswalks, and quick-build safety improvements. Several flashing beacons are scheduled for installation next year.
Long-Term Fernside Project is Moving Forward, too
There’s also been some progress on the long-term Fernside project since Council approved the proposed design last year.
This September, the Transportation Commission reviewed the project’s Complete Streets checklist, an important step in pursuing regional transportation funding through the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC).
As background, MTC’s Complete Streets policy, adopted in 2022, ensures that transportation projects receiving regional funding account for the needs of people walking, biking, rolling, and taking transit. The policy emphasizes safe, accessible streets for people of all ages and abilities. Completing the checklist helps demonstrate how a project incorporates these needs and aligns with local plans and applicable design guidance.
The long-term Fernside project includes a robust set of Complete Streets features. The proposed 2-way bikeway will also be a part of the Bay Trail and would connect surrounding neighborhoods to the Cross Alameda Trail and the Bay Farm Island Bicycle Bridge. By stitching together these important low stress routes and expanding safe, connected travel options, the Fernside project further advances city and regional active transportation goals, making its case for funding even stronger.
The Complete Streets checklist discussion at the Transportation Commission meeting drew some public comments from neighbors concerned about a potential turn restriction at the Gibbons/High/Fernside intersection. (Although no turn restriction is planned at this time, the possibility has generated considerable controversy — that intersection, along with Gibbons and surrounding streets have even become their own project, with more analysis and public engagement opportunities planned in the future.) Some public comments repeated false claims that have circulated on social media, at candidate forums, and in neighborhood leaflets. Bike Walk Alameda addressed the spread of misinformation in our comments to the Commission. For a more detailed, point-by-point debunking, see Mitch Ball’s presentation, “What’s Going on with Gibbons/Fernside,” which traces the history of the intersection and addresses many of the claims circulating in the community.
Thankfully, the Commissioners kept the meeting‘s focus on the important task at hand: the Complete Streets checklist. With this step now complete, the project will be well positioned for regional grant funding. 🤞The target for construction is 2030.
More information on the Fernside near-term and long-term projects here >
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