Stage 3 begins this week, Stage 2 was completed Monday, October 27
Two-way traffic has resumed along the stretch of Central Avenue between Lincoln Avenue and Fifth Street (in front of Encinal Junior & Senior High School and Paden Elementary) now that construction work is mostly complete in that area, according to the latest update from the City of Alameda.
However, one-way, northbound-only traffic is still in effect along Central Avenue between Lincoln Avenue and Pacific Avenue/Main Street. And there’s more to come.
Stage 3 start: October 29
Stage 3 Construction involves temporarily closing the intersection of Central Avenue/Pacific Avenue/Main Street while the roundabout is built.
The Main Street Soccer Field and the businesses at 1930 Main Street will remain open during construction. Local traffic to these locations will be allowed to travel south on Main Street from West Atlantic Avenue or Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway. (See the Detour Map below and on the City of Alameda Central Avenue Safety Project webpage.) This final stage of construction is expected to end in Spring 2026, subject to delays due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.
Slurry Seal start: November 3
Next week, slurry seal—a mixture of water, asphalt emulsion, aggregate (very small crushed rock), and additives—will be applied to the existing asphalt pavement surface on Central Avenue between Webster and Sherman streets. Residents and businesses directly impacted by the slurry seal will be contacted directly with more information.
How to use roundabouts
The City of Alameda continues to offer tips about how to safely use roundabouts, whether you are driving, walking, or riding a bicycle.
- Driving: Approach slowly and use caution. Yield to people walking and biking in crossings when you enter and exit the roundabout. Yield to drivers in the circle before entering. Drive with the flow of traffic counterclockwise around the center island.
- Walking: Use marked crosswalks. You have the right of way, but always stop, look both ways, and listen before crossing. Do not cross to the center of the roundabout.
- Biking: Ride slowly and yield to pedestrians. Be aware that some pedestrians may be unable to see or hear you and may not be able to move quickly out of your path of travel. Before crossing the street, look both ways to check that drivers see and yield to you. You may also choose to ride through the roundabout with vehicle traffic, following the instructions under “Driving” above.
For more information, visit the City’s Roundabouts in Alameda webpage.
About the Central Avenue Safety Project
The Central Avenue Safety Project is designed to improve safety for all street users and to reduce vehicle delays. It includes a roadway reconfiguration with two motor vehicle travel lanes, a two-way left-turn lane as a center lane, and bikeways, in addition to enhanced pedestrian crossings, improved bus stops, pavement resurfacing, and street trees/raingardens.
It involves building roundabouts at Main/Pacific/Central, Third/Taylor/Central, Fourth/Ballena/Central. Roundabouts reduce the types of crashes where people are seriously hurt or killed by up to 78% when compared to signalized intersections, according to federal data.
This project is funded by Measure B/BB, Alameda County’s transportation sales tax and the following federal grants: US EPA San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund, Active Transportation Program, Congestion Management & Air Quality/Surface Transportation Program and One Bay Area Grant – OBAG3.
