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What is Berkeley Link?

Berkeley Link is a proposed tram line for the city of Berkeley, California that will run along the University avenue corridor from the Cresent Lawn at UC Berkeley, to the Berkeley Marina, serving major destinations such as Downtown Berkeley and the Amtrak station along the way. Currently, University Avenue is one of, if not the most important arterial roadways in Berkeley. Connecting some of the most important destinations in the city, University Avenue should be one of the most efficient, vibrant, and safe transportation corridors in Berkeley. However, this is not the case.

 

University Ave is ineffective at moving people, unsafe for pedestrians and bicyclists, and feels slightly run down.​ University avenue needs a new breath to be blown into its fire to transform it into an area that is efficient, enjoyable, and safe for everybody. Along with many pedestrian safety improvements, a new, modern tram link providing service along University avenue from the Crescent Lawn at UC Berkeley, to the Berkeley Marina could prove extremely beneficial for increasing mobility along one of Berkeley's primary transportation corridors.

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Berkeley Link

Where will it run?

The route starts out at the Cresent Lawn, right on the western edge of the University of California campus, and just a block from bustling Downtown Berkeley and its BART station. It quickly finds University Avenue, which it will follow west for the rest of its run. It will make stops at Shattuck Ave, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Sacramento Street, San Pablo Ave, Berkeley Amtrak/4th street, and will terminate at the Berkeley marina, conveniently close to the future ferry terminal.

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What will the stops look like?

Berkeley Link stops will offer all the amenities you could want at a modern tram stop while also being space efficient. Tram stops would feature a covered waiting shelter with seating, high quality displays showing arrivals, delays, and other important information, maps of the area, secure bike parking with CCTV cameras, ticket machines, and Clipper card readers. Stations would also have automated announcements.

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Alignment features: 
There are two potential types of alignments: an aerial viaduct carrying trains above University, and track at grade level, with trains running along the median of the street.
       
Some of the benefits of a viaduct (grade separated) include:
  • Limited to no interaction with cars/ pedestrians
 
  • ​Not effected by ground level traffic accidents/incidents
 
  • ​​No obstructions to ground level vehicle/pedestrian movement
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  • Would not require major redesigns to existing street infrastructure
       
 
Some benefits of street level (at grade) running include:
  • ​Easier access to stations from the street
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  • Cheaper to build than grade separation
 
  • Less visually intrusive
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  • Can support fast running with dedicated lanes and crossing protection either in the form of crossing gates or TSP (transit signal priority)
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  • Potential for integration with existing bus routes for faster and more reliable service
 
Ultimately, both types of alignment have their pros and cons, however, I am currently leaning more towards a street level right of way, due to it creating a more enjoyable place to be, the option for existing bus routes to benefit from the infrastructure, and the ability to still run at speed with the proper measures in place.
Example of grade separated right of way along University
Example of grade level right of way along University
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