Contact: Eric Young, Communications Director, (415) 306-4509 cell
The San Francisco County Transportation Authority, in collaboration with Caltrans, the Bay Area Toll Authority, and the Treasure Island Development Authority, has completed the Yerba Buena Island/I-80 Southgate Road and Interchange Project. The project, which links eastbound I-80 to Yerba Buena Island, will be open to traffic on Sunday, May 7.
The project features an innovative design that improves safety and circulation for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians by:
- Building the I-80 Bay Bridge eastbound off-ramp to seismic standards and connections to the Transportation Authority’s award-winning YBI East Side Ramps Project that provided westbound Bay Bridge access to the Islands in 2016;
- Redesigning the YBI/I-80 Southgate Road circulation to separate vehicle traffic from bicycle and pedestrian paths and accommodating heavy duty vehicles and trucks; and
- Creating dedicated bicycle and pedestrian facilities that connect East Bay travelers arriving to Yerba Buena Island Vista Point (from the Bay Bridge East Span Bike/Pedestrian path) to Treasure Island via Macalla Road.
Funding for the $61 million project comes from the Federal Highway Bridge program and State Prop 1B program, along with funding from the Treasure Island Development Authority and Bay Area Toll Authority. The project is part of a larger transportation and infrastructure renewal program that the Transportation Authority is leading to support the redevelopment of Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island. The Islands are slated to add 8,000 units of housing, 27 percent of which is affordable.
The Transportation Authority’s next effort is to begin the West Side Bridges Retrofit project: a $116 million effort to bring eight existing bridge structures along Treasure Island Road up to current seismic safety standards.
“We are proud to deliver world-class infrastructure with the YBI/I-80 Southgate Ramp and Interchange project – a truly innovative multi-modal project that greatly improves safety and access for Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island,” said Transportation Authority Board Chair Rafael Mandelman (District 8). “Thank you to all of our public agency, labor and community partners for their many years of collaboration to get this work completed.”
“It is wonderful to see this project come to fruition to support the Islands’ growing community,” said Transportation Authority Board Vice-Chair Myrna Melgar (District 7), who presided over the project’s ribbon-cutting and also serves as Chair of the Board of Supervisors Land Use Committee. “Safe and efficient transportation and exciting new regional connections will provide lasting benefits in the years to come.”
“I applaud the Transportation Authority’s work and thank our partners for their collaboration to deliver this project, which will expand access for Island residents and bring more visitors to the neighborhood,” said Transportation Authority Board Member Matt Dorsey (District 6). “I am particularly excited for the project’s innovative bicycle and pedestrian pathways, which connect the East Span and Vista Point to Treasure Island points of interest, our great local businesses and ferry to downtown.”
“The completion of this project continues the Transportation Authority’s ongoing work to support the sustainable development of the Islands and regional connections to the state highway system,” said State Sen. Scott Wiener. “I look forward to delivery of the full infrastructure program, which will include the upcoming West Side Bridges project and Bay Skyway phase 1 bicycle and pedestrian pathways that will transform access for the Transbay corridor.”
Caltrans Director Tony Tavares said: “The opening of this ramp is a testament to teamwork! It completes a long effort full of great partnerships to bring seismic safety to the Bay Bridge and safe access to Yerba Buena and Treasure Island.”
Tanisha Taylor, Interim Executive Director of the California Transportation Commission, said: “The California Transportation Commission was proud to provide $2 million in Proposition 1B state bond funding to this important interchange infrastructure project for the growing neighborhoods of Yerba Buena Island and Treasure Island. This project will help achieve the state’s climate and equity goals while supporting safety and enhancing access to jobs and housing.”
“The Bay Area Toll Authority is pleased to help celebrate delivery of this highly complex and innovative project,” said Andrew Fremier, Executive Director of BATA/Metropolitan Transportation Commission. “We appreciate the strong project delivery effort among federal, state, regional and local partners, and are excited to improve connections for transbay travelers to the Islands, whether arriving on foot, by bicycle or in motor vehicles.”
“I am grateful to the Transportation Authority and all of the funding partners for delivering another great infrastructure project to help improve access for our residents, businesses and visitors,” said V. Fei Tsen, President of the Treasure Island Development Authority Board of Directors. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration in the coming years with the YBI West Side Bridges, Hillcrest Road improvements, and other multi-modal efforts.”
“This project benefited from the talents of more than 260 construction workers and skilled trades from ironworking and plumbing to landscaping and electrical,” said Rudy Gonzalez, Secretary-Treasurer of the San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council. “We are proud to help deliver infrastructure and to support our city’s recovery through capital investment and the provision of hundreds of well-paying jobs.”
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About the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (sfcta.org)
The San Francisco County Transportation Authority’s mission is to make travel safer, healthier, and easier for all. We plan, fund, and deliver local and regional projects to improve travel choices for residents, commuters, and visitors throughout the city. The Transportation Authority Board consists of the 11 members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, who act as Transportation Authority Board Members. Board Member Rafael Mandelman is Chair of the Board. Tilly Chang is the Transportation Authority’s Executive Director.