Improvements are coming to ease congestion along Central Avenue between Jacuzzi and San Mateo Streets, a popular means of access to the I-80 and I-580 freeways, commercial centers in Richmond and El Cerrito, and the El Cerrito Plaza BART Station. The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) in cooperation with the City of Richmond, the City of El Cerrito, and Caltrans has collaborated to evaluate potential transportation improvements to ease congestion along the Central Avenue corridor. The benefits, impacts and costs of numerous alternatives were examined, and two projects were selected among them.

The first of two projects was completed in 2018. It prohibits left turns onto the westbound I-80 on-ramp to San Francisco on weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. which was found to be the most congested period throughout the week. Electronic message signs redirect drivers to the I-580 eastbound ramps at Rydin Road and traffic signals replaced the all-way stop signs there and at the I-580 westbound ramps. The project also included installing 21 curb ramps to meet the American with Disability Act (ADA) requirements. The CCTA is the agency responsible for completing final design, conducting a “before and after” traffic study to determine the project effectiveness, and administering the construction phase.

The second project will improve traffic flow along Central Avenue by moving the signals to increase space between signal intersections and prohibit left turns from Central onto Pierce Street to reduce through-traffic backup.

On February 7, 2019, CCTA and City of Richmond consultants hosted a community meeting at the El Cerrito Council Chambers to discuss Phase 2 of the I-80 Central Avenue improvements. Phase 2 will provide additional improvements to local roads to reduce congestion along Central Avenue. The project will improve signalized intersection spacing along Central Avenue by connecting Pierce Street and San Mateo Street, converting Pierce Street access at Central Avenue to ‘right-in, right-out,’ and relocating the traffic signal at Pierce Street/Central Avenue to the San Mateo Street/Central Avenue intersection. Other project amenities will include new lighting, sidewalks, landscaping with stormwater retention areas, bus stops, and shared bicycle route striping. About 15 members of the public attended the meeting and had several questions and concerns regarding bike facilities along Central Avenue, access to and from St. Luis Street (on the north leg of the Pierce Street/Central Avenue intersection), and time-of-day left-turn restrictions instead of permanent restrictions. The consultant team will be reviewing issues raised at the meeting. Additional outreach meetings will be held in the City of Richmond. Please see a copy of the presentation here.  Please see the CCTA website for more information about this project.

You can also contact the City of El Cerrito Engineering Division at 215-4382 or email for more information.