Gilman Street I-80 interchange officially opens

MTC Commissioners Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft and Dina El-Tawansy were on hand this week for the official opening of Caltrans' Gilman Street/I-80 interchange project in Berkeley, which includes modern roundabouts on both sides of the freeway.

The two-phase project also features a bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing above the freeway, a new street-level bicycle/pedestrian pathway through the interchange and a new connection to the Bay Trail, which closed the gap between Berkeley and Albany.

“This comprehensive project is a prime example of how reimagined transportation infrastructure can better serve all Californians, regardless of their travel mode of choice,” said MTC Commissioner and Caltrans District 4 Director Dina El-Tawansy. “Innovative design, strong collaboration and community input worked in concert to deliver a passage that is safer, more efficient and better connected to the neighborhoods it serves.”

The I-80/Gilman interchange provides critical access to local businesses, parks and other destinations, and is a vital link for regional bike and pedestrian networks. The improvements reflect broad input from residents, businesses and advocacy groups, and demonstrates the region’s commitment to multimodal travel and sustainability, Caltrans noted.

The upgrades address longstanding concerns at the interchange, previously known for complicated intersections and limited access for people who walk and bike, by delivering infrastructure that prioritizes safety and accessibility for all users.

The $100 million project was funded through a combination of local, state and federal sources. Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, contributed $4.1 million and federal programs added $3.1 million.

Meanwhile, $53.8 million in funding came from the State Transportation Improvement Program through MTC, $34.3 million from local voter-approved Measure BB and nearly $5 million from local and regional partners such as the City of Berkeley, East Bay MUD and the Bay Area Air District. Caltrans led the development effort, with input from the Alameda County Transportation Commission in partnership with the cities of Berkeley and Albany.