A Berkeley public works crew cleared out a homeless encampment near the Gilman Street off-ramp of I-80, in Berkeley, on Thursday, June 16, 2016. Photo: David Yee A coalition of civil-rights groups and one of the nation’s largest law firms have taken on the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), asking for a state-wide, permanent injunction […]
Caltrans
Posted inCommunity
Homeless advocates in Berkeley say officials are dumping too many prized personal possessions
History shows that what is a possession and what is junk is not always clear, depending on who you ask.
Posted inCommunity, Crime & Safety
Authorities clear out Gilman homeless camp in Berkeley
A homeless couple sleeps as Berkeley city officials watch Berkeley and Caltrans work crews clear out a homeless encampment near the Gilman Street interchange of I-80 on Thursday. Photo: David Yee In a coordinated effort, workers from Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol and the city of Berkeley cleared out a large homeless encampment on Gilman Street near the […]
Posted inCommunity
Father of girl struck by car calls for better traffic control
The UC Berkeley cheerleading squad paid a visit this week to 9-year-old Lillia Bartlow both of whose legs were broken in a March 8 crash. Lillia is flanked by her father Darryl and mother Kadijah. Photo: courtesy family The UC Berkeley cheerleading squad paid a visit this week to 9-year-old Lillia Bartlow both of whose legs were […]
Posted inVideo
Coming soon: Less traffic with a smart Interstate 80
When the I-80 Smart Corridor Project is completed in late 2015, motorists will see signs telling them about the traffic flow before them. Photo: Smart Corridor Project Motorists driving south on Interstate 80 near Gilman might have been surprised recently by a new sign with flashing “Xs,” yellow and green arrows, or a “30” or “55.” […]
Posted inCity
Ashby Avenue in Berkeley to close 2 nights for road work
Ashby Avenue from Ninth Street to San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley will be closed Monday and Tuesday nights so Caltrans can remove old railroad tracks from the street, in addition to other work. The stretch of Ashby, a state highway, will be closed to all traffic from 10 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19. […]
Posted inCity
Caltrans fence forces homeless to find new camp
People who used to sleep under the Gilman/I-80 underpass are trying to adjust to their new cramped sleeping situation. Photo: Natalie Orenstein Responding to complaints that the homeless people who camped under the Gilman/I-80 underpass were engaged in criminal activity, Caltrans has fenced off the area — pushing the encampment onto a narrow strip nearby. […]
Posted inVideo
New Bay Bridge span: 2 minutes, 3 years of building
After 11 years of construction, and 23 years after the Loma Prieta earthquake took part of it out, the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge is nearly done. Caltrans plans to open the bridge to traffic this September. While we wait for the opening, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission has released a fascinating 2-minute timelapse […]
Posted inCity
Major paving work to begin mid-June on Ashby Avenue
Ashby Avenue: major repaving work is imminent. Photo: Ben Knobel For any and all Berkeleyans who live close to Ashby Avenue, it may be time to get stocked up on earplugs. Starting soon — mid-June is the official date — Caltrans will begin resurfacing Ashby (otherwise known as State Route 13), from Hiller Drive west […]
Posted inCommunity, Crime & Safety, Schools
Malcolm X parents raise concerns over pedestrian safety
Signage makes clear there are issues with traffic and pedestrian safety outside Malcolm X Elementary School on Ashby. Photos: Tracey Taylor. Perhaps it’s because this particular school is located on a state highway, or perhaps it’s because one of its six-year-old students was run over on a crosswalk next to the school three years ago. […]