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Upper Fairmount Streetscape Update

NEW! Download the Construction Notice (PDF, 23Kb) issued on October 24, 2008.

Click here to see construction dates.

The 2005-06 Capital Improvement Plan included a project to make streetscape improvements to the upper half of Fairmount Avenue as a follow up to the successful streetscape work on the lower half of Fairmount Avenue. The project was launched in 2006 with preliminary concept development and initiation of a community input process. The process resulted in the Upper Fairmount Avenue Master Streetscape Plan, which includes details of the various community meetings and the range of citizen input.

Download the Upper Fairmount Avenue Master Streetscape Plan (PDF, 25 MB)

Once the Plan was complete, City staff began to work out construction details that required some changes to the Plan. Staff presented the final construction recommendations to the City Council on July 21, 2008, and a summary of the final changes to the Master Plan and proposed scope of construction are summarized below:

Upper Fairmount Area
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School Zone Crosswalk Area
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Albemarle Ave Crosswalk Construction Scope
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Clayton Ave Crosswalk Construction Scope
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Ashbury Intersection Area
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Ashbury Intersection Scope
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Colusa Commercial District
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Colusa Area Construction Scope
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Street Trees – Middle Area
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Street Trees – Upper Area
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SCOPE OF WORK AND SCHEDULE

The Upper Fairmount Streetscape work will be completed in two phases.

    1. The initial phase includes the following:
    • Crosswalk Improvements at the commercial district (near Colusa) and near Harding Elementary School
    • Three raised crosswalks to help calm and modulate traffic along Fairmount
    • Sidewalk bulb-outs near Harding Elementary
    • New curb ramps to enhance pedestrian and handicap access
    • Street Tree planting program from Richmond Street to Ramona Avenue.

    2. Phase two includes a realignment of the Ashbury-Fairmount intersection.

Phase One work will be commencing in the middle of October 2008. The curb ramps, crosswalk improvements, bulb-outs and sidewalk work will be complete in November. The irrigation, street tree planting and miscellaneous landscaping will begin after the City has coordinated with Fairmount residents on tree locations and preferences – probably later this winter.

Phase Two work was originally to be deferred until funding could be secured. Fortunately, the City won a safety grant this past summer that will provide adequate funding for the Ashbury-Fairmount intersection realignment. Design will commence in 2009 and construction will likely begin in late 2009 or early 2010.

The award of the safety grant came immediately after the City Council authorized interim improvements at the Ashbury-Fairmount intersection that would improve pedestrian circulation and safety. After news of the grant funding for the full project, the City Council directed staff to cancel the interim improvements and focus all resources on the full project.


If you have any questions about the Upper Fairmount Streetscape project, feel free to contact the Public Works Department at (510) 215-4382 or by emailing the Public Works Director at jbradshaw@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us.


Page updated: October 24, 2008