Walnut Creek Traffic Could Get Worse With New Bike-Friendly Plan

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Major plans to make a busy transit corridor bike-friendly moved forward Tuesday despite misgivings about the traffic back-up expected in key spots.

The Walnut Creek City Council on Tuesday approved allocating the city's $1.4 million share of a $6.2 million multiagency project adding 2-way bike lanes along Treat Boulevard between North Main Street in Walnut Creek and Jones Road in unincorporated Contra Costa County.

Councilmembers also authorized a joint exercise of powers agreement (JPA) with the county that formalizes respective responsibility for managing construction and grant administration.

The project is designed to fill a gap for people biking and walking to the Contra Costa Center Transit Village by reconfiguring three free right-turn lanes at Treat Boulevard's intersections with Buskirk Avenue, Oak Road, and North Main Street traffic.

Traffic signals would also be 60 seconds longer.

The plans call for eliminating a biking detour and a confusing lane switch for motorists.

But plans may also worsen an already congested area that backs up to the freeway mornings and afternoons.

On the traffic signals, Councilmember Craig DeVinney said, "A minute might be significant."

Regarding the lanes, a bike path runs close to the proposed one. But a gap in the path forces bicyclists into a 2-mile detour, staff said.

Otherwise, bicyclists and pedestrians get forced into the traffic.

However, the segment falls outside of Walnut Creek's jurisdiction.

Councilmember Kevin Wilk said he would not support the changes if he were on the board of supervisors.

Councilmember Matt Francois said the plan "seems like it's fraught with danger."

The motion passed with four votes in favor and one abstention, by DeVinney.

Council members directed city staff to press county and Caltrans partners on signal timing and to closely monitor impacts after the changes take effect.

On funding, staff said Walnut Creek's contribution would come from local transportation capital funds, including Measure J/CCTA.