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Unsigned

Unsigned State Route 260

Click here for a key to the symbols used. An explanation of acronyms may be found at the bottom of the page.


Routing Routing

Rte 260(a) Route 260 is from Route 61 in Alameda to Route 880 in Oakland near Seventh and Harrison Streets.

(b) The relinquished former portion of Route 260 within the City of Alameda between Central Avenue and Atlantic Avenue is not a state highway and is not eligible for adoption under Section 81. For this relinquished former portion of Route 260, the City of Alameda shall maintain within its jurisdiction signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 260.

Post 1964 Signage History Post 1964 Signage History

In 1965, Chapter 1372 created Route 260 via a transfer from Route 61. The definition was: “Route 61 in Alameda to Route 17 in Oakland near Seventh and Harrison Streets”. That same year, Chapter 1371 reiterated the conditions that had accumulated for the previous legislative version of the route, LRN 226:

“361.1 Upon the completion of the additional subterranean tube between the Cities of Oakland and Alameda, in the vicinity of Webster Street, to be used in connection with the Posey Tube, both of which tubes are included in the description of Route 61, the department may by executive order, rule, or regulation, designate both of said tubes, and the approaches leading to or from the nearest state highway or city street, as one-way highways, and thereafter restrict said tubes and approaches to one-way traffic, proceeding in opposite directions as to each other. Upon the placing of signs notifying the public of such restrictions, any person who wilfully fails to observe such sign is guilty of a misdemeanor.”

“361.2 Because of the statewide interest in navigation, the state will hold and save the United States of America free and harmless from liability for damages to the parallel tubes between the Cities of Oakland and Alameda included in the description of Route 61 due to the initial dredging work and subsequent maintenance dredging in an area within 50 feet of said tubes in connection with the deepening of the Oakland Estuary by the Corps of Engineerings of the United States Army and the Director of Finance shall execute an agreement so to do with the proper representatives of the United States of America.”

In 1968, Chapter 282 renumbered sections 361.1 and 361.2 from Route 61 (§361) to Route 260 (§560), and updated the sections to refer to Route 260.

In 1984, Chapter 409 changed "Route 17" to "Route 880".

On August 30, 2004, AB 2027 was signed. This authorized the California Transportation Commission to relinquish to the City of Alameda the portion of Route 260 that is located within the Alameda city limits that is between Atlantic Avenue and Central Avenue, upon the terms and conditions the commission finds to be in the best interests of the state, if the commission and the city enter into an agreement providing for that relinquishment. The relinquishment becomes effective immediately following the recordation by the county recorder of the relinquishment resolution containing the commission's approval of the terms and conditions of the relinquishment. At that point, the relinquished portion of Route 260 shall cease to be a state highway, and cannot be considered for readoption. Furthermore, the City of Alameda is required to maintain within its jurisdiction signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 260.

Based on the new bill, in December 2004 the CTC considered relinquishment of a portion of Route 260 right of way in the City of Alameda, between Atlantic Avenue and Central Avenue, under terms and conditions as stated in the cooperative agreement dated May 21, 2004, determined to be in the best interest of the State. Authorized by Chapter 325, Statutes of 2004, which amended Section 560 of the Streets and Highways Code. This appears to have been the work of the West Alameda Business Association (WABA), as reported in San Francisco Bay Crossings. This article talks about the changes to the street now that the highway designation has been dropped:

As a highway, the street had to be as wide as possible and well lit, leaving darkened narrow sidewalks. Sidewalks are being widened, and sidewalk furniture will be installed along with much-anticipated Acorn Street Lights. The old trees have been removed, and they will soon be replaced by a variety of flowering trees. Putting utilities underground will also improve the look of the street, making it a lovely street for strolling. Buses run regularly along the street, and the ferry is close by.

In 2010, Chapter 421, SB 1318, 9/29/10, changed the start of the route: "Route 61 Atlantic Avenue in Alameda to ..."

Pre 1964 Signage History Pre 1964 Signage History

This route was part of LRN 226, defined in 1947. Before that, portions were part of LRN 69.

Status Status

Although a distinct route from Route 61, this route is signed in its entirety as Route 61.

Route 880 Oakland/Alameda Access, Broadway-Jackson, Improvement (04-Ala-260 R0.78/R1.90, 04-Ala-880 30.47/31.61)

Oakland-Alameda Access ProjectCaltrans, in partnership with the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC), proposes to improve mobility and accessibility, traffic operations, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities through the Oakland Alameda Access Project (proposed project) on Route 260 (R0.78/R1.90) and on I-880 (30.47/31.61) in the cities of Oakland and Alameda in Alameda County, California. The EIR for the project notes that the Oakland Alameda Access Project, formerly known as the Broadway/Jackson Interchange Project and then the Broadway/Jackson Street Interchange Improvements Project, has been studied for over 20 years. As of September 2020, three Project Study Reports (PSR), a Project Report (PR), and a Feasibility Study evaluated numerous alternatives to address the Purpose and Need. A Draft PSR was prepared in 1997, a subsequent PSR was completed in 2000, and a PR was completed in 2002 for the Broadway/Jackson Street Interchange Improvements Project. However, the recommended alternative did not have the support of the local community, particularly key stakeholders in Chinatown, so it did not proceed. In 2006, the City of Alameda revisited the project by completing a Feasibility Study for the I-880/Broadway-Jackson Interchange Improvements Project. The Feasibility Study recommended several new alternatives and a PSR-Project Development Support (PDS)-Project Initiation Document (PID) for the I-880/Broadway-Jackson Interchange Improvements Project. This study was approved by Caltrans in March 2011.
(Source: Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment and Draft Individual Section 4(f) Evaluation, Oakland Alameda Access Project, September 2020)

The September 2020 Draft EIR notes the following alternatives:
(Source: Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment and Draft Individual Section 4(f) Evaluation, Oakland Alameda Access Project, September 2020)

Additional detail on the Build Alternative improvements include the following:
(Source: Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment and Draft Individual Section 4(f) Evaluation, Oakland Alameda Access Project, September 2020)

  1. Construction of a new horseshoe connector under I-880 at Jackson Street. Vehicles exiting the Posey Tube would have direct access to NB I-880 via the proposed horseshoe connector. Vehicles heading to NB and SB I-880 would use the right-turn-only lane at the Posey Tube exit to turn onto eastbound 5ᵗʰ Street. Access to a new horseshoe connector would be provided from the left side of 5ᵗʰ Street, and it would loop below the I-880 viaduct to connect to the existing NB I-880/Jackson Street on-ramp. Traffic heading to SB I-880 would continue eastbound on 5ᵗʰ Street to the SB I-880/Oak Street on-ramp. Construction of the new right-turn-only lane onto 5ᵗʰ Street would require new retaining walls along the right side of the Posey Tube exit replacing the historic Posey Tube wall. The horseshoe connector would provide a direct route between the Posey Tube and NB I-880/eastbound (EB) I-980 and SB I-880. A new left-turn pocket to accommodate the turn onto 6ᵗʰ Street would be constructed requiring removal of a section of the historic Posey Tube western exit wall.
  2. Reconstruction of the existing WB I-980/Jackson Street off-ramp. To provide space for unimpeded movement from the Posey Tube to the new horseshoe connector, the WB I-980/Jackson Street off-ramp would be realigned to the south. The realigned off-ramp would touch down at-grade on 5ᵗʰ Street at the Alice Street intersection. Off-ramp and 5ᵗʰ Street traffic would continue to be separated by a landscaped median past the condominium building at 428 Alice Street. 5ᵗʰ Street would be converted to a two-way street to accommodate condominium residents, allowing vehicles to turn left or right onto 5ᵗʰ Street.
  3. Removal of the existing NB I-880/Broadway off-ramp viaduct structure including the bridge deck and supporting columns. Removing the NB I-880/Broadway off-ramp structure would provide the space for complete streets improvements on 6ᵗʰ Street. It would also restore an element of the City of Oakland’s street grid system by providing a continuous 6ᵗʰ Street between Oak Street and Broadway. This would provide for a more efficient street network, and it would allow traffic to be more evenly distributed on Oakland city streets. Also, it would improve traffic operations at the Broadway / 6ᵗʰ Street and Broadway/5ᵗʰ Street intersections by eliminating the stream of traffic exiting the Broadway off-ramp and heading to the Webster Tube entrance. Instead, this traffic would use 6ᵗʰ Street and turn left at Webster Street to access the Webster Tube.
  4. Widening of the NB I-880/Oak Street off-ramp. The existing Oak Street off-ramp would be widened from a one- to a two-lane exit by restriping the NB I-880 mainline and reconfiguring the ramp terminus. At the Oak Street intersection, the ramp would be further widened from one left-turn-only pocket lane, one through and left-turn lane, and one through and right-turn lane to provide one left turn-only (SB) pocket lane, one through (WB) lane, one through (WB) and right-turn (NB) lane, and one right-turn-only (NB) lane. Two new retaining walls would be constructed along the widened ramp’s new edge of shoulder. In advance of the Oak Street exit, NB I-880 would be restriped from four to five lanes, including a standard 1,400-foot-long auxiliary lane to accommodate the additional traffic resulting from the Broadway off-ramp removal.
  5. Modification of 5ᵗʰ Street/Broadway access to the Webster Tube. The 5ᵗʰ Street/Broadway entrance to the Webster Tube would be moved slightly east. Also, the 5ᵗʰ Street crosswalk on the east side of Broadway would be shifted east and considerably shortened, and the signal phasing would be modified to include a pedestrian-led signal phase for eastbound pedestrian traffic.
  6. Construction of a new through 6ᵗʰ Street connecting Oak Street to Broadway. Improvements to 6ᵗʰ Street would be accomplished by turning the street into a one-way street in the westbound direction from Oak Street to Harrison Street and a two-way street from Harrison Street to Broadway. The lanes would be a minimum of 11 feet wide. There would be a minimum of two through lanes with additional turn pockets at intersections in the westbound direction. There would be one lane in the eastbound direction from Harrison Street to Broadway. A new sidewalk would be constructed along the south side between Broadway and Oak Street. Segments of the existing sidewalk along the north side between Oak Street and Broadway would be reconstructed to a minimum of 10 feet wide between Harrison and Alice streets to provide continuity for pedestrians. A continuous Class IV two-way cycle track would also be provided between Oak and Washington streets. Parking spaces would be provided along portions of this roadway.
  7. Construction of a two-way bicycle/pedestrian path and walkway from Webster Street in Alameda to 6ᵗʰ Street in Oakland through the Posey Tube and from 4ᵗʰ Street in Oakland through the Webster Tube to Mariner Square Loop in Alameda. The path would begin at Webster Street and Constitution Way in Alameda, would continue through the Posey Tube on the existing east side walkway, and would exit the Tube via a new ramp with a hairpin turn at 5ᵗʰ Street. The path in Alameda connecting to the Posey Tube would be realigned and widened. The path in Oakland would wrap around the back of the Portal building on 4ᵗʰ Street and continue onto Harrison Street. It would continue onto a Class I two-way bicycle/pedestrian path under I-880 just west of Harrison Street and connect to the Class IV two-way cycle track on 6ᵗʰ Street between Oak and Washington streets. The new bicycle and pedestrian ramp exit from the Posey Tube would require removal of the existing historic Posey Tube staircase to provide street level Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant access from the Tube. The proposed project would improve access between Oakland and Alameda by opening the Webster Tube maintenance walkway to bicycle and pedestrian travel. The walkway would connect to the proposed path under I-880 at 4ᵗʰ Street (near the Posey Tube Portal building). It would continue onto 4ᵗʰ Street to Webster Street, and it would turn north through the existing parking lot on the west side of the Webster Tube entrance before making a hairpin turn to connect to the westside walkway inside the Tube. On the Alameda side, the walkway would connect to existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities at Mariner Square Loop and Willie Stargell Avenue. The existing sidewalk within Neptune Park would be widened to match the proposed sidewalk to the north. Improvements inside the Tube would include widening the existing walkway, upgrading the existing railings, and relocating call boxes and fire extinguishers.
  8. Modification of 5ᵗʰ, 7ᵗʰ, Madison, Jackson, Harrison, Webster, Oak, and Franklin streets. The street modifications would include replacing the dual right turns at the 7ᵗʰ Street/Harrison Street intersection with a single right-turn-only lane and removing the free right turn (where the island allows cars to turn right without stopping) at the 7ᵗʰ Street/Jackson Street intersection. These would no longer be needed because Alameda traffic bound for NB/SB I-880 would be better served by the right turns from the Posey Tube to 5ᵗʰ Street. With the removal of the free right turns, vehicles would observe the traffic signal before turning right. With the curb extension proposed at this location, the pedestrian crossing distance would be shortened, which would decrease vehicle-pedestrian conflicts. In addition, a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) beacon would be installed on 7ᵗʰ Street across the street from the Chinese Garden Park. There would also be restrictive right-turn movements to reduce bicycle and vehicle conflicts at the 5ᵗʰ/Broadway, 6ᵗʰ/Webster, 6ᵗʰ/Harrison, 6ᵗʰ/Jackson, 6ᵗʰ/Madison, 5ᵗʰ/Jackson, 8ᵗʰ/Oak, and 7ᵗʰ/Oak intersections. A continuous sidewalk would be installed along the perimeter of Chinese Garden Park. Additional improvements, including landscaping, could occur adjacent to the southern boundary of the park and would be coordinated through the City of Oakland. Jackson Street between 5ᵗʰ and 6ᵗʰ streets would be converted from two- to one-way travel in the northbound direction, and it would include an emergency-only access lane.

In December 2020, it was reported that a plan that has been decades in the works to reconfigure the ramps of I-880 in Oakland’s Chinatown — and which thousands of Alameda commuters use daily — to help ease traffic congestion is moving forward. Known as the Oakland Alameda Access Project, the plans for around Interstate 880 include the creation of a right-turn-only lane onto Fifth Street at the exit of the Posey Tube, which carries traffic from Alameda into Oakland, to provide almost direct access to the freeway both north and south. The project also calls for widening the interstate’s northbound Oak Street off-ramp and removing the northbound Broadway off-ramp. Madison Street will be restriped to allow for two-way travel between Fourth and Sixth streets. It currently is one-way for traffic traveling west. Jackson will be restriped for one-way travel between Fifth and Sixth. The changes also include increasing the width of a maintenance walkway in the Webster Tube, which carries traffic from Oakland under the Oakland Estuary into Alameda, from three to four feet to better support pedestrians and cyclists. Work on the $120 million project by the Alameda County Transportation Commission is expected to begin in the middle of 2023 and be finished in three years. Other parts of the plan include new sidewalks on Fifth and Sixth streets in Oakland, a sidewalk that encircles the Chinese Garden Park on Seventh Street in Chinatown, and a two-way bicycle path on Oak and Sixth streets in Oakland. To learn more about the project, review the draft environmental document and submit comments, go to www.OaklandAlamedaAccessProject.com.
(Source: East Bay Times, 12/8/2020)

In June 2021, the CTC approved amending the STIP to use the funding available through the 2021 Mid-Cycle STIP and share distribution of the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 funds (COVID Relief Funds) to add a new project to the STIP: Route 880 Oakland/Alameda Access, Broadway-Jackson, Improvement (PPNO 0044D) and program $50K to the PS&E phase in FY 2022-23.
(Source: June 2021 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.1a.(19))

In May 2022, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding the following project: 04-Ala-880, PM 30.47/31.61; 04-Ala-260, PM R0.78/R1.90. Oakland Alameda Access Project. Improve connectivity and accessibility between Alameda and I-880 by way of Route 260 in Alameda County.  (FEIR) (PPNO 0044D) (STIP) The project is located on I-880 between postmile R30.47 and R31.61 and along Route 260
between postmile R0.78 and R1.90 in Alameda County.  The proposed project would improve multimodal safety for all users and reduce conflicts between regional and local traffic by enhancing bicycle and pedestrian accessibility and connectivity. It would also improve mobility and accessibility between I-880 and Route 260, the City of Oakland downtown neighborhoods and the City of Alameda, and reduce freeway-bound regional traffic and congestion on local roadways and area neighborhoods. This project is currently programmed in the 2020 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for a total of $127,728,000, which includes Right of Way (capital and support).  Construction is estimated to begin in 2024-25.  The scope, as described for the preferred alternative, is consistent with the project scope as programmed by the Commission in the 2020 STIP. Under the Build Alternative, access to northbound and southbound I-880 from the Posey Tube would be improved by adding a right-turn-only lane from the Posey Tube to 5th Street and a new horseshoe connector at Jackson Street below the I-880 viaduct that would connect to the existing northbound I-880/Jackson Street on-ramp. The Build Alternative would also include a two-way bicycle/pedestrian walkway through the Posey Tube. The construction of a right-turn-only lane from the Posey Tube Approach to 5th Street would modify the Tube in Oakland by demolishing  175 feet of the eastern Approach wall and staircase for a new turn lane onto 5th Street. The Approach’s extant straight wall would be replaced by a new curved wall that would extend onto 5th Street. The construction of the left-turn-only lane from the Posey Tube exit to 6th Street would modify the Tube by demolishing 93 feet of the Oakland Approach’s western wall, including the existing western pylon base. The Approach’s existing straight walls would be replaced by new walls that would extend onto 5th Street and 6th Street, respectively. There likely will not be sufficient room under the I-880 viaduct to relocate the existing western pylon base at the end of the proposed western wall. Relocation options will be evaluated following additional data collected during the project’s design phase. The eastern pylon base will be preserved in place and stabilized as part of this project. The demolition of the Approach’s eastern wall and stairs, the demolition of the western wall including its pylon base, the construction of the new wall with a different configuration, and the construction of the bicycle/pedestrian ramp around the Portal building would result in the partial removal of, physical destruction of, or damage to this historic property under 36 CFR 800.5(a)(2)(i) and (ii). A two-way bicycle/pedestrian accessible ramp would be installed at the Posey Tube’s Oakland exit. This ramp would replace the existing staircase attached to the Oakland Approach’s eastern wall, and would transition to an at-grade path that wraps around the Oakland Portal building. The path would replace the existing concrete sidewalk and curb on the west (4th Street) side of the building. The construction of the bicycle/pedestrian walkway at or near the Portal building would result in the partial removal of, physical destruction of, or damage to this historic property under 36 CFR 800.5(a)(2)(i) and (ii).
(Source: May 2022 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.2c.(8))

In January 2023, the CTC amended the Local Partnership Formulaic Program to add the Oakland Alameda Access Project in Alameda County (04-Ala-260 R0.78/R1.90, 04-Ala-880 30.47/31.61) and program $196,000 in fiscal year 2022-23. This project will provide active transportation facilities, pedestrian and bicyclist safety enhancements, realignment of offramps and onramps to address circulation issues, as well as other roadway improvements. The anticipated benefits of this project include improved multimodal mobility and accessibility between the cities of Oakland and Alameda and easing local roadway congestion around I-880 and Route 260.
(Source: January 2023 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 4.10)

In March 2023, the CTC approved the following allocation for a locally-administered STIP project: $50,000. 04-Ala-880 R30.47/R31.61. PPNO 04-0044D; ProjID 0400000326; EA 0G360. Oakland Alameda Access Project. Project is located on I-880 and Route 260 between 5th Avenue Overhead and 5th and 6th Street Viaduct within the Cites of Oakland and Alameda in Alameda County. The project proposes to improve access along I-880 and in and around the Webster and Posey Tubes (Route 260 tunnels under the Oakland Estuary [Tubes]), downtown Oakland, and the City of Alameda.  Proposed improvements also include implementation of follow up landscaping work to restore removed vegetation required by the highway improvements. CEQA - EIR, 08/20/2021. NEPA - FONSI, 08/20/2021. Future consideration of funding approved under Resolution E-22-36; May 2022. Contribution from other sources: $12,000,000. Allocation: PS&E $50,000.
(Source: March 2023 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5c.(2) #2)

In June 2023, the CTC approved the following allocation for a locally-administered LPP (Formulaic) project: $196,000. 04-Ala-880 R30.47/R31.61. PPNO 04-0044D; ProjID 0400000326; EA 0G360. Oakland Alameda Access Project. Project is located on I-880 and Route 260 between 5th Avenue Overhead and 5th and 6th Street Viaduct within the Cites of Oakland and Alameda in Alameda County. The project proposes to improve access along I-880 and in and around the Webster and Posey Tubes (Route 260 tunnels under the Oakland Estuary [Tubes]), downtown Oakland, and the City of Alameda.  Proposed improvements also include implementation of follow up landscaping work to restore removed vegetation required by the highway improvements. CEQA - EIR, 08/20/2021. NEPA - FONSI, 08/20/2021. Future consideration of funding approved under Resolution E-22-36; May 2022. Allocation: R/W $196,000.
(Source: June 2023 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5s.(2) #1)

In October 2023, the CTC approved the following amendment request for the Local Partnership Program: The Alameda County Transportation Commission requests to amend the Oakland Alameda Access Project in Alameda County and add $7,281,000 of its available 2022 Formulaic Program funding to the Construction phase in fiscal year 2024-25. This project was programmed at the January 2023 Commission meeting with 2020 Formulaic Program funds to the Right-of-Way phase. This project will remove and modify existing freeway ramps, modify the connection from the Posey Tube (Route 260) to I-880, construct Class IV two-way cycle tracks in Oakland, and implement bicycle and pedestrian improvements near the Posey Tube and the Webster Tube. The anticipated benefits of this project are enhanced safety, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and providing multimodal choices for travelers.
(Source: October 2023 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 4.26)

Named Structures Named Structures

George A. Posey TubeTunnel 33-0106R, the tube between Alameda and Oakland that goes beneath the Oakland Estuary, is named the "George A. Posey Tube". It is named for George A. Posey, the engineer who devised its construction. This construction required sinking precast concrete segments into a trench running along the floor of the Oakland Estuary, and includes a ventilation system (designed by Posey) that placed high-powered fans in the portals on either end of the tube. The tube runs beneath the floor of the estuary. Construction started in 1925 and was completed in 1928.
(Image source: Bridgehunter; Oakland LocalWiki)

The other tunnel (33-0106L) is unofficially called the "Webster Street Tube". It was built in 1963.

Classified Landcaped Freeway Classified Landcaped Freeway

The following segments are designated as Classified Landscaped Freeway:

County Route Starting PM Ending PM
Alameda 260 R0.84 R1.20

Other WWW Links Other WWW Links

Statistics Statistics

Overall statistics for Route 260:

Pre-1964 Legislative Route Pre-1964 Legislative Route

In 1959, Chapter 1062 defined LRN 260 as “[LRN 238] to [LRN 4] north of the Calaveras River”. This is present-day unconstructed Route 235 between present-day I-5 and Route 99.


Acronyms and Explanations:


Back Arrow Route 259 Forward Arrow Route 261

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