There’s been quite a bit of chatter regarding the prospective bike trail for the Bay Bridge’s western span. Naturally, Bay Area cyclists would love to see this two-mile stretch from Yerba Buena to San Francisco come to fruition. However, the study done by Bay Area Toll Authority reported the project would cost roughly $400–500 million, a sum Caltrans says can’t be stripped from the bridge’s $6.4 billion budget. So, the big question remains: what is the likelihood of this actually happening?
“Any likelihood number would be a wild guess…There’s no identifiable funding for it. It’s not a feasible project at this time,” says John Goodwin, a spokesperson for the toll authority.
Goodwin notes if they can slim down the costs to a realistic alternative with significantly lower projections, then the project can compete for funding. However, right now, he says it’s just a concept not an actual project seeking financial support. So, what’s the magic number that will make this venture viable? Good question. The answer has yet to be determined.
It goes without saying that the bridge’s bike trail is a tricky one. Beyond the obvious financial hurdles, the path comes with engineering challenges, including where it will go, as well as, how to connect the Yerba Buena or San Francisco ends with the street grid in a way that complies with ADA standards. Without the added section, recreational cyclists will only be able to travel from Oakland to Yerba Buena Island, a path set to be completed by Labor Day of 2015.
However, there has been some notable traction. On Wednesday, Nov. 12, the toll authority’s oversight committee authorized a $10 million engineering study to assess more affordable alternatives for the bike path, according to InsideBayArea. Goodwin calls this the 30% design level, which will result in as many as four alternatives.
“Think of that as a detailed sketch, but not a finely detailed portrait of it. It’s a sketch; it’s not a completed drawing,” says Goodwin. “We expect the process of developing alternatives will probably take a year or longer…It’s very unlikely that we’ll have an identified alternative before 2016.”
The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and many others see the study as a huge leap forward for a project that up until last week was largely theoretic. While the anticipated cost is undoubtedly daunting, the coalition’s Communication Director, Kristin Smith, puts things in perspective.
“Keep the overall costs in mind. The cost of the Bay Bridge East span is $6.4 billion and growing, a new BART tunnel would be an enormous cost. Providing a way for people to bike between Oakland and San Francisco is incredibly cost-effective, as well as being a healthy and sustainable form of transportation,” says Smith.
She’s definitely got a point. Though the project is rather premature with plenty of unknown terrain ahead, both the toll authority and SFBC see a great need for it.
“Our population is exploding right now in the Bay Area. We have to be looking at smart, sustainable ways to be moving people around our region. A complete bike path across the Bay Bridge would encourage people to bike, reducing congestion on the street and overcrowding on BART…. Encouraging biking is a win for everyone.”
If you’re still wondering if the Bay Bridge’s bike path will happen, you’re not alone. The recent funding definitely marks tangible progression for the project. However, there are still a variety of kinks to work out, including the design and the source of funding. These factors make it a great idea with concrete traction, but not a definite reality just yet. Here’s to hoping. Those interested in supporting the project, can learn more here.
[photo by terraplanner via Flickr]
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