Local Street Beautification Project Wins Award

Consider this next time you drive down Lewelling Boulevard.

The street improvement project completed last year has been named project of the year by the Northern California Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA).

As a result Lewelling Boulevard will represent Northern California in the APWA's national awards program later this year.

The project was an aggravation for local businesses while it was underway, and it didn't help the Orchard Supply Hardware that is closing.

But now the "improvements benefit everyone living, working, or travelling on Lewelling Boulevard,” says Alameda County Public Works Director Daniel Woldesenbet.

This $2.4 million project was funded by Measure B, the Highway User Tax Account, Bay Area Air Quality Management Department, The Prop 1B infrastructure bond and local utility companies. 

The boulevard was widened along a 0.8 mile stretch between I-880 and Meekland Avenue. The work improved bicycle and pedestrian safety while allowing cars to flow more smoothly. 

The project include landscaped medians, wide sidewalks with pedestrian lighting, street furniture and educational plaques at ten historic locations.

The work on Lewelling is very much like the Streetscape project that transformed a section of Castro Valley Boulevard.

What do you think. What the pain worth the gain?