History
In 2001, members of Alameda Open Space approached Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to learn about converting the abandoned Alameda Belt Line Railroad alignment into a multiple-use trail across the island of Alameda. Three years later, in 2004, individuals and advocacy groups in Alameda — including Bike Alameda and Pedestrian Friendly Alameda, the precursors to Bike Walk Alameda — formed the Cross Alameda Trail Steering Committee to plan and promote the trail with the Conservancy.
In 2003, the city received a Bay Trail grant to study the feasibility of the Cross Alameda Trail, which will be a segment of the Bay Trail. The city coordinated with the conservancy, which had developed a concept plan for the proposed trail, in its efforts.
Below is the current status of each segment of the Cross Alameda Trail, as of 2024, along with key historical and advocacy notes. Numbers are associated with the map above.
1. Ferry Way (& Seaplane Lagoon Ferry) Opened 2021.
2. Alameda Point/Site A: Opened May of 2020.
3. Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway & Atlantic Gap: Opened early 2020.
Historical notes:
In 2013, the city won a grant to construct the first section of the trail, the 0.8-mile path from Main Street to Webster Street along the south side of Appezzato Memorial Parkway on vacant property formerly used by the Alameda Belt Line Railroad.
Bike Walk Alameda successfully led the fight against the proposal to leave a dangerous, two-block gap in the trail that would have forced cyclists into the busy roadway between Webster and Constitution, which was created with no public input and in contravention of the city’s promises to close the gap. Our advocacy led the city to design a two-way cycletrack along these two blocks and a mid-block crosswalk that would make it easier and safer for seniors who live in a nearby apartment complex to cross.
Some final, long-awaited improvements still need to be made for this segment but we’re told are imminent. These include signal upgrades (including protected bike phases for Main, Webster, and Wilma Chan intersections), a crosswalk across Appezzato at Poggi (east side), and a Right on Red Prohibition on northbound Wilma Chan Way. Lighting for the trail will be added at a future date.
Note: the amazing wildflowers we enjoy along this segment in the springtime and in to early summer are thanks to the City’s annual reseeding every fall/winter.
4. Wilma Chan Way to Sherman Street (AKA Jean Sweeney Open Space): A commuter trail alignment that maintains the existing Class II bike lane along Atlantic Avenue and a recreational Class I path through Jean Sweeney Open Space Park.
Historical notes:
This trail was made possible after the city won a legal battle to buy the Belt Line property with the aid of local parks champion Jean Sweeney, acquiring the rail line and yard in 2010 for under $1 million. Access to this trail is limited from the neighborhoods (currently only via 8th Street), but several other streets should have access soon: Wood Street on the south, Challenger and Triumph on the north. Alameda Parks and Recreation is managing this project. The contract was approved for work in March 2024, but soil issues have slowed it down.
5. Del Monte Clement Extension: Opened in 2022.
6. Marina Cove Clement Extension: Opened in 2017, this is a cycletrack along Clement near Marina Cove from Entrance Road to Paru (read about it on StreetsBlogSF).
7. Pennzoil: This section is under construction by a developer. It will be a cycletrack and is expected to be opened in 2025, before residents occupy the housing.
8. Clement Avenue: Cycletrack along Clement Avenue completed October, 2024. There is also new Class I (multi-use) path under construction along the available shoreline. Read about BWA’s advocacy efforts here. More information from the City of Alameda.
9. Clement-Tilden: Council approved this section unanimously in March of 2023 as part of the Clement-Tilden project. Currently under construction, with original ETA to open 2024, but held up because of soil issues. Details on this page.
10. Miller-Sweeney (Fruitvale) Bridge: ACTC will stripe bike lanes on the bridge, but the specific date is not certain. The railroad bridge is too hazardous to use.
Cross Alameda Trail by bike
May 7, 2022
Video by Maurice Ramirez