The I-980 highway, a controversial urban structure built through Oakland in the 1960s, has been a point of contention for decades, particularly among the West Oakland community it disrupted.
Originally constructed at the expense of predominantly Black neighborhoods, the I-980 cut through the heart of the community, leading to the demolition of numerous Black-owned businesses and the displacement of approximately 500 families.
In a bid to transform this part of the city, Caltrans, alongside engineering and construction consultants WSP and Arup, has launched a series of community engagement initiatives under the project dubbed Vision 980.
Tonight, residents have an opportunity to voice their opinions during an open house meeting held at the Center-OUSD Central Kitchen in West Oakland, from 6 to 8 p.m.
While registration is encouraged, it’s not a prerequisite for attendance, allowing broader community participation.
This meeting follows substantial feedback from an initial study that garnered responses from around 2,800 residents. Additionally, consultants held direct dialogue with those most affected by I-980’s existence, further amplifying the voices of the community.
In a quest to imagine a more equitable future, the first study proposed several potential scenarios for the highway’s transformation, including turning parts of it into parks or housing developments, while some suggested simply leaving it as is.
Key findings highlighted the urgency for changes that prioritize those originally displaced by the freeway.
Participants also raised concerns about air quality and truck traffic, stressing that future plans should not exacerbate these issues for West Oakland residents.
The study identified a crucial need for immediate safety enhancements around I-980, citing West Oakland sidewalks as among the worst in the city, alongside the second-highest pedestrian injury rate, which recorded 300 incidents between 2017 and 2022.
The Vision 980 initiative proposes three distinct scenarios for the I-980 corridor: “Enhance,” “Cover,” or “Remove.”
The first option, “Enhance,” advocates for maintaining the highway while upgrading connectivity between West Oakland and Downtown. This could involve widening sidewalks in over- and underpasses, introducing bike lanes, and improving lighting for safety and accessibility.
“Cover” is the second option, which envisions capping sections of the freeway. This would provide opportunities for developers to introduce new buildings or elevated park areas, along with creating additional pedestrian and cyclist crossings.
Finally, the most ambitious concept, “Remove,” proposes eliminating the highway entirely across the 20 blocks between I-580 and I-880, replacing it with an at-grade boulevard that would expand available development land in Downtown Oakland by 67 acres.
Randolph Belle, who is actively leading the study development, emphasizes that the input from Oakland’s Black residents, especially those who suffered from the initial highway construction, is crucial.
According to Belle, both longstanding and newer community members share a deep understanding of the freeway’s historical impact on their lives.
The Vision 980 project aims to ensure that any transformations happen without further risking the displacement of low-income residents. Notably, 41% of those living within the I-980 corridor are classified as living in poverty, compared to 22% countywide.
The historical context surrounding the construction of I-980 has not gone unnoticed. Scholars and historians, including Mitchell Schwarzer and Robert Self, have pointed out that the decision to build the road primarily benefited white suburban residents at the expense of Black communities.
Prominent figures in urban planning, such as former national transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg, have acknowledged the significant social and historical implications of removing the highway. Buttigieg referred to the freeway as a “literal gash on the neighborhood” during his visit to the area a few years back with then-Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.
As part of the ongoing dialogue, Caltrans is encouraging public participation through an online survey that remains open for responses until July 11. This forum allows residents to weigh in on their preferred scenarios for the future of I-980 and its impact on their community.
The overarching goal of Vision 980 is to create a community-driven alternative that fosters better connectivity between West Oakland and Downtown Oakland, ensuring a thoughtful and inclusive approach to urban redevelopment.
image source from：oaklandside
