Half a Million Dollars To Tame Moraga Way

LAMORINDA, CA — Half a million federal dollars are coming to town to set the stage for a safer, better-connected corridor from downtown Moraga to the Orinda BART station.

The Town of Moraga, in partnership with the City of Orinda, has been awarded
a $508,000 federal "Safe Streets and Roads for All" planning and development grant for the next phase of a "Moraga Way Safety and Connectivity" planning study.

The study will evaluate the 4.7-mile Moraga Way corridor, from Moraga Road to the Orinda BART Station, without funding for final design or construction. The funding is restricted to planning and study purposes.

Early blueprints include a dedicated, protected facility for people walking and biking—most likely a shared-use path. Planners will also consider designing the path as an emergency access lane during disasters or large-scale evacuations, which first responders could use to reach areas when regular roadways are inaccessible.

“Resident safety is our top priority, and this funding is a critical first step toward a safer Moraga Way for everyone, whether you walk, bike, drive, or take transit,"Moraga Mayor Kerry Hillis said in a statement. "Just as important, this work reflects the strong partnership between Moraga and Orinda as meaningful progress on Moraga Way depends on planning together across city boundaries.”

Orinda Mayor Brandyn Iverson said in the statement that the plan addresses congestion and safety on a road that cannot be widened. "Moraga and Orinda are closely linked by our shared dependence on this corridor, and meaningful progress means reimagining it as a place that works better for everyone."

Community meetings and opportunities for input will be scheduled. Project updates and details will be posted on the respective municipal websites, and project alerts will be available.