In June 2010, the Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) completed the Bailey Road Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Plan which evaluated the section of Bailey Road from Willow Pass Road to West Leland Road, near the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART Station, for measures that would make this roadway safer for pedestrian and bicycle use, more efficient for transit and auto traffic, and provide a more aesthetically pleasing corridor. The plan was the result of numerous meetings and discussions with the community, the Municipal Advisory Council, and a Technical Advisory Committee comprised of technical staff from Contra Costa County, the City of Pittsburg, Caltrans, East Bay Regional Park District, Tri Delta Transit, BART, and other concerned individuals. The Board of Supervisors approved the plan on July 10, 2010.
The Bailey Road/State Route 4 Interchange (“Interchange Zone”) was described in the plan as needing the most urgent attention. The Interchange Zone extends from the BART Station Access Road to the Canal Road/State Route 4 on-ramp intersections. It is dominated by the State Route 4 highway overpass, on-ramps, and off-ramps which are in Caltrans jurisdiction. The type of on and off-ramps used at Bailey Road are no longer built by Caltrans in urban areas because they create too many conflicts for pedestrians and bicyclists. The entire Interchange Zone segment presents the most challenges for pedestrians and bicyclists using Bailey Road and therefore merits a redesign in order to meet the goals of the Bailey Road Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Plan.
The interchange project would:
1. Remove the north-side loop off-ramp and pedestrian tunnel;
2. Improve the westbound off-ramp on the east side of Bailey Road to accommodate north and southbound traffic turning onto Bailey Road;
3. Change the south-side eastbound loop off-ramp to a fully signalized T-intersection at Bailey Road;
4. Eliminate acceleration lanes on Bailey Road to accommodate bicycle lanes and widened sidewalks; and
5. Enhance existing pedestrian crossings at the BART Access Road and Canal Road intersections on Bailey Road.
On December 4, 2012, the Board of Supervisors approved an agreement accepting a $345,300 grant from the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to begin implementation of the plan's recommendations. DCD and the County Public Works Department (PWD) are preparing to move into the project development phase for the Bailey Road/State Route 4 Interchange revisions called for in the plan, which includes the preparation and completion of a Project Initiation Document (PID). A cooperative agreement (attached) is needed to begin this process with Caltrans. The County would be responsible for work associated with preparing the PID. Caltrans will review and approve the PID. Work done by Caltrans shall be reimbursed by the County pursuant to the cooperative agreement. Funds used to reimburse Caltrans will come from the Contra Costa Transportation Authority grant.
Failure to approve the Cooperative Agreement would delay implementation of the Bailey Road/State Route 4 Interchange Project recommended by the Bailey Road Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Plan, and potentially jeopardize the County's ability to receive future grant funds from the Contra Costa Transportation Authority.
Some students enrolled in the Bel Air Elementary School on Canal Road must use Bailey Road through the interchange area to go to and from this school.