Mission Boulevard
Phase 2 of the Mission Boulevard Corridor Improvement Project transformed a severely congested and barren 1.4-mile area into an attractive corridor that employs environmentally-friendly landscaping, state-of-the-art technology, and significant upgrades to infrastructure for pedestrians & bicyclists. Guided by the City of Hayward's Complete Streets and Complete Communities Strategic Initiative, the refreshed streetscape includes new Class IV bike lanes with raised landscaped divider islands, new widened sidewalks and energy-efficient street/pedestrian lighting, a renovated gateway plaza at Blanche Street, stormwater inlets, and undergrounding of overhead utilities.
As project landscape architect with prime consultant BKF Engineers, the design team successfully completed the $27 million project, which created a system of bike and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure improvements, framed by multiple layers of street trees in the parkway, bike lane planters, medians and greenways which carry out the City’s “Green Street” policy concept. The renovated Blanche Gateway Plaza includes a new monument sign and seating areas formed by community input, which terminates the greenway to create an entry statement for travelers entering the City from the south.
The project was completed in 2020.
Hayward, CA
Awards
2021 ACEC Award of Merit
Key Considerations
Addressing Infrastructure Challenges with Environmentally-Sustainable ApproachesAn existing 12-inch cement-treated base (CTB) underlined the entire boulevard from sidewalk to sidewalk, blocking water from percolating during the rain and preventing the use of water for irrigated medians. Removing the CTB would have added significant costs, and leaving it in as-is would have been extremely damaging to the environment. To ensure the area could benefit from as much "greening" as possible while maximizing budget, our team resolved this issue by drilling through the CTB and creating gravel sumps where trees were to be planted, allowing water to drain without requiring disposal of CTB waste material.
The design team incorporated multiple elements of ReScape Guidelines to abide with Hayward’s Complete Streets and Complete Communities Initiative as well as the City’s Green Street Policy Concept, including recycled paving materials to reduce landfill waste; drought tolerant & low-water use plants with a high-efficiency "smart" irrigation system; planted areas to create habitat; and locally sourced plants and materials to reduce vehicle generation air pollution.
Honoring City Initiatives and Policies
New planted medians provide visual interest while protecting bicyclists
New gateway plaza with signage at Blanche Street
Corridor improvements included new fencing in the City's colors, to provide screening for the residential neighborhoods
Photosimulation of the new fence with Class IV bike lanes
