Wisevoter
San Leandro

San Leandro Breaks Ground on East Bay Greenway

Officials have launched construction on a new 3.5-mile bike and pedestrian path along San Leandro Boulevard.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Hiking

Isometric editorial illustration of a new urban paved trail, trees, and concrete bollards representing the new East Bay Greenway infrastructure project.
San Leandro officials have broken ground on a 3.5-mile bike and pedestrian segment as part of the East Bay Greenway expansion project. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Does your local government prioritize cyclist and pedestrian safety over vehicle traffic flow in road designs?

City officials and transportation agencies gathered at the San Leandro Boys and Girls Club to break ground on a new 3.5-mile segment of the East Bay Greenway. This project is part of a larger 16-mile corridor intended to improve regional connectivity.

Why it matters

The East Bay Greenway is designed to link seven BART stations with local schools and business districts, creating a non-motorized route between Oakland and Hayward. The ambitious network aims to provide safer transit alternatives for residents across the region.

The completed project will span 16 miles and cost approximately $200 million. It features protected bike lanes and islands at select intersections to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

The players

Alameda County Transportation Commission

This public agency is responsible for planning and delivering major transportation infrastructure projects across Alameda County.

Caltrans

The California Department of Transportation manages the state highway system and partners on major transit corridor improvements.

San Leandro Boys and Girls Club

This non-profit organization provides youth development services and served as the venue for the recent ground-breaking ceremony.

The details

The current construction follows San Leandro Boulevard and represents a significant step in a vision that first began planning in 1997. The route is designed to connect multiple communities, including Ashland and Cherryland, to major regional transit hubs.

Timeline

  1. Project planning for the Greenway network began in 1997.

  2. The ground-breaking ceremony took place on October 14, 2026.

  3. Design work for the second phase is scheduled for completion in spring 2027.

Culture Shift

The development of the East Bay Greenway reflects a wider cultural shift toward prioritizing active, non-motorized transit infrastructure in dense urban areas. This transition mirrors regional efforts to reduce reliance on automobiles by connecting schools, businesses, and transit hubs.

Residents can expect improved access to local transit hubs and safer bike commuting routes along the San Leandro Boulevard corridor once construction concludes. The project aims to shorten travel times for non-motorized transit users connecting to BART stations.

The takeaway

The addition of this segment marks a major milestone in the long-planned effort to integrate safer transit options into East Bay neighborhoods. Residents should monitor future phases for potential construction-related traffic shifts along the main corridor.

What happens next

Design work for the second phase of the East Bay Greenway, spanning from 54th Avenue to San Leandro, is expected to conclude in spring 2027.

Further reading

Learn more about local trail development in the Hiking section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Streetsblog San Francisco.

Live Poll

Does your local government prioritize cyclist and pedestrian safety over vehicle traffic flow in road designs?