Rail Safety Enhancement Program

Between 2016 and 2021, an alarming 22 fatalities and 17 injuries occurred along Alameda County rail corridors. The Alameda County Rail Safety Enhancement Program (RSEP) was developed as an outgrowth of the recommendations included in the Alameda County Goods Movement Plan and in response to the dangerous conditions many rail crossings pose throughout the county.   The goals of the RSEP are to:
  • Provide safe at-grade crossings for all users, particularly near schools, Priority Development Areas and Equity Priority Communities
  • Reduce the unnecessary fatalities or severe injuries at the at-grade crossings
  • Increase freight service reliability along rail corridors
  • Reduce greenhouse gasses by encouraging goods movement by freight and encouraging mode shift for active transportation by removing barriers to active transportation facilities at the at-grade crossings
Development of the RSEP is split into three phases—RSEP-A, RSEP-B and RSEP-C—to achieve the project goals and construct improvements in a three to five-year timeframe. A prioritization framework for the at-grade crossings was approved by the Alameda County Transportation Commission in 2018 as part of the Rail Strategy Study that narrowed the 133 at-grade crossing locations in Alameda County to 56 locations. For more information regarding each phase of the Project, continue to the respective tabs for each project phase. At-grade crossings for the RSEP are located in the cities of Berkeley, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Oakland, San Leandro, Union City, and in the Alameda County communities of Ashland, Cherryland and San Lorenzo. Project partners include the California Department of Transportation, the California Public Utilities Commission and Union Pacific Railroad. Alameda CTC’s RSEP is not part of the City of Berkeley’s railroad quiet zone study efforts. In November 2019, a presentation was made to the City of Berkeley Transportation Commission about the Berkeley Quiet Zone Project, which is available here. To find out more information about Berkeley’s quiet zone efforts, contact transportation@berkeleyca.gov.

RSEP: Phase A, Phase B and Phase C Crossings

Map for RSEP Phases A, B and C
Improvements for the RSEP are being funded locally by Measure BB and federally with the $25 million Federal Railroad Administration Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Grant –the largest CRISI grant awarded in California and the second largest in the nation. See the full press release.

Public Hearings – Virtual

A virtual public information meeting was held on May 22, 2024 for the Rail Safety Enhancement Program's (RSEP) proposed safety improvements to five existing at-grade rail crossings in the City of Berkeley and in Alameda County.

Meeting Materials

A virtual public meeting was held on May 17, 2023 for the RSEPs proposed safety improvements to four existing at-grade rail crossings in the City of Oakland and in Alameda County.

Public Hearing Notice

A virtual public meeting was held on May 4, 2023 for the RSEPs proposed safety improvements to eight existing at-grade rail crossings in San Leandro, Hayward and unincorporated Alameda County.

Public Hearing Notice

A virtual public meeting was held on April 13, 2023 for the RSEPs proposed safety improvements to three existing at-grade rail crossings on Addison Street, Cedar Street and Bancroft Way in the City of Berkeley in Alameda County.

Public Hearing Notice

A virtual public meeting was held on March 28, 2023 for the RSEPs proposed safety improvements to two existing at-grade rail crossings on Virginia Street and Hearst Avenue in the City of Berkeley in Alameda County.

Public Hearing Notice
Following are Initial Studies/Mitigated Negative Declarations (IS/MND) for the Alameda County Rail Safety Enhancement Program's (RSEP) proposed safety improvements for existing at-grade rail crossings in Alameda County. Each had its own 30-day public review and comment period. There are four IS/MND's in total.

Project Documents

This segment of the Rail Safety Enhancement Project proposes safety improvements to two existing at-grade rail crossings on Virginia Street and Hearst Avenue in the City of Berkeley in Alameda County. The 30-day public review and comment period closed April 13, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. (PDT).

Project Documents

This segment of the Rail Safety Enhancement Project proposes safety improvements to three existing at-grade rail crossings on Cedar Street, Addison Street and Bancroft Way in the City of Berkeley in Alameda County. The 30-day public review and comment period closed May 2, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. (PDT).

Project Documents

This segment of the Rail Safety Enhancement Project proposes safety improvements on the following existing at-grade rail crossings:
  • City of San Leandro: Marina Boulevard, Washington Avenue and Hesperian Boulevard
  • City of Hayward: Leidig Court, Tennyson High School Pedestrian Crossing, Tennyson Road and Industrial Parkway
  • Unincorporated Alameda County: Lewelling Boulevard
The 30-day public review and comment period closed May 25, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. (PDT).
This segment of the Rail Safety Enhancement Project proposes safety improvements to 4 existing at-grade rail crossings on 29th, 37th, 50th, and Fruitvale Avenues in Oakland. The 30-day public review and comment period closed May 31, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. (PDT).

Following are Categorical Exemptions (CE) for the Alameda County Rail Safety Enhancement Program's (RSEP) proposed safety improvements for existing at-grade rail crossings in Alameda County. Each had its own 30-day public review and comment period. There are three CE's in total.
Coming soon.

Coming soon.

Project Initiation Documents

Following are Project Initiation Documents (PID) for the Alameda County Rail Safety Enhancement Program's (RSEP) proposed safety improvements for existing at-grade rail crossings in Alameda County. Each document details recommendations of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Rail Crossings and Engineering Branch staff for RSEP, Phase B crossing safety improvements.
Coming soon.

JUNE 2026 ADVISORY

The two Livermore crossings will be the first two crossings from this countywide program to move into construction.

Construction Update

In partnership with the City of Livermore and Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) expects construction activities for the Rail Safety Enhancement Project (RSEP) to begin on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

Temporary Road Closures

To support construction, temporary road closures will be required at two locations: the L Street and Junction Avenue rail crossings.

  • The L Street (between Chestnut Street and Railroad Avenue) crossing is expected to be closed starting the evening of Friday, June 26, through the morning of Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
  • The Junction Avenue (between Ladd Avenue and Old First Street) crossing is expected to be closed starting the evening of Friday, July 10 through the morning of Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

During construction, please follow posted detour routes and allow extra time for travel.

What to Expect During Construction

Nearby residents, businesses, and travelers may experience temporary construction impacts, including:

  • Temporary road closures
  • Detours and changes to travel routes
  • Construction noise
  • Dust near the work areas

Residential and commercial traffic will be permitted to access their driveways during these closures. The safety of our community, workers, and travelers is our top priority throughout construction, and our project team is committed to minimizing disruptions. Every effort will be made to reduce inconveniences to residents, businesses, and commuters. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to deliver these important safety improvements.

Note: This is the first phase of rail crossing improvements in Livermore. Additional minor construction activities are expected intermittently until late 2027. We will keep the community updated about any additional closures or impacts that may occur as part of that work.

We're Here to Help

Have questions or concerns? Please call (510) 323-0065 or email railsafety@alamedactc.org. A member of the project team will respond as soon as possible.

Project Funding

These improvements are funded locally through Measure BB as well as state, regional and federal funding.

Please note that all construction dates are approximate and subject to change due to weather and unforeseen conditions. Construction is being coordinated by the City of Livermore, Alameda County Transportation Commission (CTC), and the Union Pacific Railroad.

Check back later for new community updates...