August 7th, 2024
Dina El-Tawansy District Director Caltrans District 4 111 Grand Ave Oakland, CA 94612
Re: Vision I-980 Study

Dear Director El-Tawansy and Vision 980 Team,

On behalf of the Sierra Club, I am writing to express our support for the Vision 980 Study. The I-980 freeway, running roughly 2 miles between I-580 in North Oakland and I-880 in Downtown, has long been a physical and psychological barrier, dividing communities and limiting access to economic opportunities. It symbolizes a history of racially discriminatory decision-making that prioritized vehicular traffic over the health and wellbeing of local residents.

The Sierra Club’s Transportation Policy makes clear that “Land use patterns should be designed to prioritize walking and biking, reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT), increase public transit use, enhance the economic viability of public transit and decrease private motor vehicle use (auto mobility)...Existing communities should be revitalized or retrofitted, as necessary, to achieve these qualities and to enhance their quality of life. Revitalization of existing communities must include the participation of members of that community, and be conscious of potential impacts on vulnerable communities that reside in or around such community...”
Interstate 980 as it exists today is in opposition to these policy goals. I-980 divides communities and creates a hostile barrier to people living in West Oakland attempting to travel by foot or bicycle in order to reach jobs, culture, and green spaces in other parts of the city.

Any plan for this corridor should establish a primary goal of reducing total vehicle capacity, reconnecting communities, and freeing up land now occupied by the highway for much needed housing and green space.
Capping the freeway, while offering some benefits, would not fully address the underlying issues. A cap would perpetuate the existing division, merely masking the problem rather than attempting to solve it. In contrast, replacing I-980 with a surface street would allow for the complete reintegration of the divided neighborhoods, creating continuous, accessible spaces for walking, biking, and public transit. This would significantly enhance multimodal transportation options, reduce air pollution, and provide opportunities to develop green spaces and housing. This decision should be informed by meaningful public outreach in the communities most affected by the presence of I-980, and that outreach should take place before a preferred alternative is selected. Such an approach supports the City of Oakland's goals of equitable development and environmental justice, ensuring that future growth is inclusive and sustainable.

We look forward to continuing to engage with Caltrans and the Vision 980 team throughout this process.

Sincerely,

Maxwell Davis, Chair
Sierra Club Northern Alameda County Group