The Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC), in collaboration with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the cities of Berkeley and Emeryville, proposes to reconstruct the I-80/Ashby Avenue interchange to ease congestion, provide better interstate access, and connect pedestrians and cyclists to the San Francisco Bay Trail.
A critical gateway to Emeryville and Berkeley, this voter-approved project will enhance, support and connect the community.
Improvements will include:
- A new interchange structure to provide better connections to Shellmound Street, Frontage Road, and Point Emery
- New bridges to provide vertical clearance along I-80 for freight vehicles
- A new shared bicycle and pedestrian pathway to afford direct access to the San Francisco Bay Trail
This project was approved by Alameda County voters in 2014 under Measure BB and represents a direct investment in regional infrastructure and economic development. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) approved the project on January 12, 2024. Due to the large funding gap, a near-term bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing (BPOC) will be designed and constructed as Phase 1 of project improvements to advance the benefits to the general public. Construction of the Phase 1 project will provide an east-west bicycle and pedestrian access across I-80 to Bay Trail and Point Emery.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing
This video simulates the proposed bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing (butterfly arch), one of three options discussed in the Draft Environmental Document.
Vehicle Overcrossing
This video simulates the view of the vehicle overcrossing showing pre-cast girders
as discussed in DED (Westbound Ashby Avenue to Westbound I-80).
View From Freeway
This video simulates the view of the proposed project area from the freeway (Eastbound I-80 to San Pablo).
Aerial Overview
This video simulates the aerial overview of the proposed project area.
The
Final Environmental Document for this project is now available on the Resources tab. For more information, please contact us at (510) 504-7246 or visit us at
www.I80Ashby.com. Thank you for your interest in this project!
For total project cost and phase information, see the project Fact Sheets tab.
On January 11, 2022, Caltrans and Alameda CTC held a virtual public open house to present an overview of the Draft Environmental Document (DED), and to inform the public about the benefits and environmental impacts of the I-80/Ashby Avenue interchange improvements.
Comments on the DED continued to be submitted during the 45-day comment period through January 31, 2022.
On May 22, 2019, the public was invited to attend an open house to learn about the project at the South Berkeley Senior Center.
Project Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Ashby Avenue is an important gateway to the cities of Emeryville and Berkeley. Currently, the I-80/Ashby Avenue Interchange has no connection between Shellmound Street and westbound I-80, nor between Shellmound Street and Frontage Road. Motorists traveling westbound can access the City of Emeryville only through the I-80/Powell Street Interchange. Taller freight trucks must also exit the I-80 and take surface streets instead. Taller freight trucks must also exit the I-80 and take surface streets instead.
The proposed project will provide a direct connection to the City of Emeryville for motorists on westbound I-80 as well as a direct connection to the San Francisco Bay Trail and Frontage Road for bicycles and pedestrians. It will also provide clearance for freight trucks, allowing them to avoid taking surface streets.
This project was included in the voter-approved 2014 Alameda County Transportation Expenditure Plan. Alameda CTC and partner agencies are working to deliver upon this promise.
The interchange improvements will enhance connectivity for all travelers, including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, by:
- Improving interstate access by car from both sides of I-80
- Providing direct access to the San Francisco Bay Trail for pedestrians and cyclists
- Increasing safety through traffic congestion relief and incident management
The remaining project schedule includes the following major milestones and estimated time frames associated with advancing Phase 1 project improvements.
- Right-of-Way Certification – Spring 2026
- Final Design – Fall 2026
- Construction – Spring 2026-Fall 2028
I-80/Ashby Avenue interchange improvements will ease traffic by improving interstate access while supporting pedestrians and cyclists.
The proposed project will provide a direct connection for motorists between Shellmound Street and westbound I-80 and realign access to West Frontage Road. The new interchange will replace the existing elevated interchange connector ramps with a new bridge over I-80, allowing freight trucks to remain safely on I-80 instead of exiting and reentering I-80 via local surface streets.
For bicyclists and pedestrians, the new interchange will introduce a new bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing and connection from 65th Street and Shellmound Street to the San Francisco Bay Trail.
Questions and comments regarding the project can be submitted at any time to the project team at
inquiry@I80Ashby.com. Community members interested in project updates are invited to visit the project webpage regularly at
www.I80Ashby.com.
Look ahead: Phase 1 project advertisement is expected in late 2026/early 2027.
