The City of Richmond and Contra Costa County are developing a broad plan for Richmond Parkway that aims to reduce speeding, crashes and pollution from truck emissions. The city is asking for the public to help identify problems and offer up solutions on an interactive map of the area, which can be accessed here.
The so-called Richmond Parkway Transportation Plan seeks to “identify strategies that equitably expand transportation options, support safe travel, and reduce public health impacts of truck and vehicle traffic along Richmond Parkway and Castro Street between I-80 and I-580,” according to the city.
As of this writing, about 24 public submissions have been made to the interactive map. Ideas pitched thus far include cameras that track speed and automatically send citations to speeders, buffered bike lanes in a number of areas, a signal or crosswalk at Goodrick Avenue, and changes to increase safety at Canal and Tewksberry, particularly when traffic backs up at the bridge.
The city points out that Richmond Parkway is a major road linking I-80 and I-580 and serves to move goods via truck and rail to the Port of Richmond and local industry. But it states that as new industrial and residential growth continues along the corridor, “the study presents and opportunity to plan for better access and mobility before existing challenges are exacerbated.”
Officials hope to finalize the Richmond Parkway Transportation Plan by fall next year. Funding for the Plan comes from Caltrans through the Sustainable Communities Grant.
Those who live, work or travel along the Parkway can participate in the study via the interactive webmap that is available for input through Sept. 3. They can also sign up to stay involved through email updates.
