Safer sidewalks for West Oakland - West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project

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Those who live, work, and move around in West Oakland deserve safer, more accessible sidewalks. Oakland’s Department of Transportation (OakDOT) has state funding through the California Air Resources Board’s Sustainable Transportation Equity Project to repair up to two miles of West Oakland’s sidewalks, beginning in late 2024. WOEIP is working with the City to generate a community-driven list of prioritized sidewalk locations to ensure repairs are effective and connective for the people who rely on them most.

West Oakland sidewalk repair is an equity issue

Damaged sidewalks in West Oakland make it hard — sometimes impossible — for people to get around. This is especially true for people with certain disabilities, or those who use canes, walkers, or other assistive mobility devices.

Missing or inadequate ramps

The view from a street intersection looking at the corner of a row of townhouses to the right, flanked by a sidewalk. There is a sewer drain at the sidewalk's corner, but no sidewalk ramps cut into the curb for pedestrians. — Sidewalks without ramps (also known as *curb cuts*), or with ramps that are too steep, make it challenging to move from the sidewalk to the street for people with limited mobility or assistive devices, like wheelchairs and strollers.

Tree root damage

The roots of a tree planted at the curb pushes the cement sidewalk up unevenly around it, as the tree's shadow dapples the jagged pavement. — Tree roots can cause “uplift” of the concrete, blocking smooth passage, especially for people using wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers.

Cracks and gaps

A cement sidewalk is split along nearly it's entire length, with half the surface raised up several inches, creating a tripping hazard. Leaves and debris surround the cracks created by the damage. — Uneven surfaces cause tripping hazards and make it difficult to walk or roll.

Narrow or missing sidewalks

150+ sidewalk locations identified by the community

Through a series of workshops, community events, and online mapping exercises, West Oakland residents and sidewalk users have compiled a list of more than 150 locations throughout the neighborhood that need repairs or improvements.

Prioritizing equitable repairs

How do we ensure that OakDOT tackles the most critical locations? WOEIP and its technical partner, Hyphae Design Labs, have analyzed the submitted locations and prioritized recommendations for the City using more than a dozen criteria. Some of these include:

Focusing on sidewalks within the West Oakland Community Action Plan’s seven Impact Zones (West Oakland neighborhoods with higher air pollution-related health risks)
Considering a sidewalk’s proximity to high-need sites, such as senior, disabled or low-income housing, schools, playgrounds, and healthcare facilities
Site exposure to air pollutants
The presence of owner-occupied homes
OakDOT’s Geographic Equity priority ranking

Of the 150+ identified locations, we have flagged more than one third of them for recommendation as a prioritized repair. That list has been provided to OakDOT, so they can start working. Recommended areas include:

Map of West Oakland shows lengths of sidewalks in purple, numbered by priority.

We’re excited to track the progress of the City’s repairs as they begin in late 2024.

Want to know more?

For project details, questions, or to share your feedback directly, email Meet Panchal.

In partnership with:

This work is made possible with funding from:

Oakland’s Department of Transportation is repairing sidewalks through a Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP) grant funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The West Oakland STEP grant aims to improve transportation equity in West Oakland by centering the community’s lived knowledge and expertise in transportation projects. STEP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.