Alcatraz Crosswalk Gets Green Light, Kalb Aide Says

Responding to neighborhood fears about pedestrian safety, Oakland transportation officials have agreed to paint a white crosswalk across Alcatraz Avenue at Hillegass Avenue, according to an aide for Oakland City Councilman Dan Kalb.

Resident Terence Doherty, who lives next to the intersection, submitted a request to the city for a crosswalk in November, and the Oakland Public Works Agency conducted traffic counts and other tests.

Other residents too have expressed a wish for a crosswalk at the intersection, saying that it is dangerous for pedestrians, including students at nearby Peralta Elementary School.

In response to resident inquiries last week, Dan Kalb's office contacted the city's transporation services division, Kalb aide Olga Bolotina told Patch. Kalb's District 1 includes the intersection and Rockridge.

Bolotina said the officials informed her that they found a crosswalk justified by their review. She said it's not known when the crosswalk could be installed. The curb ramps for wheelchairs need to be redone to conform with the latest ADA standards (Americans with Disabilities Act), she said.

Federal law requires that any new crosswalk project include upgrading the curb cuts to the most recent ADA requirements, Oakland public works spokeswoman Kristine Shaff told Patch earlier this month.

Patch has requested information from the Public Works Agency on the approval of the crosswalk and anticipated date for painting it.