After applying for a state grant nine months ago, the Oakland Tribune reported on Sunday that the city has received the grant and will begin the Alternatives Analysis soon (likely early next year).  Alternatives Analyses are required for every major transportation project to evaluate various options based on cost-effectiveness, environmental impact, economic impact, engineering constraints, and other criteria.  Depending on the speed and prioritization of the AA within Oakland city government, the study will likely be completed sometime during 2013.  For a comparison, Los Angeles is currently wrapping up the AA for their downtown streetcar, a process which took about a year to complete.  It will be exciting when the study kicks off early next year; stay tuned for more information.

If you live or work in Alameda County, consider filling out this survey for the Alameda Countywide Transportation Plan Update.  The ACTP is a very important document which feeds into the Bay Area Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and opens the door to billions in federal, state, and regional funds.  Getting the Oakland Streetcar project in the next RTP would be an important step forward.

After each question, as well as in question 10, you can name specific projects that you'd like to see included in the plan. Some suggestions:
-Oakland Streetcar
-Broadway Shuttle
-International Blvd. TOD-Streetscape Plan
-BART station TOD projects (MacArthur, West Oakland, Coliseum, Lake Merritt)
-Infill BART Station in Oakland's San Antonio district
-MacArthur Blvd. Bus Rapid Transit

The survey takes less than 5 minutes and is open until March 15th.

The Broadway Shuttle has proven to be a huge success thus far in Oakland.  The San Francisco Chronicle reports that after less than five months of service, ridership has grown to nearly 2,000 passengers per day.  The city is now close to expanding service until 1am on weekends to tap into the emerging dining and entertainment destinations in the Downtown, Uptown, and Jack London Square areas.  The success of the shuttle further demonstrates the positive economic impacts of expanding transportation options along the corridor, and bodes well for the city's long-term goal of replacing the shuttle with a streetcar.

The City of Oakland's free Broadway Shuttle launches today, July 27th.  Spanning from Jack London Square to Uptown, the shuttle represents a significant step toward revitalizing Downtown Oakland, and has been labeled an interim solution toward the eventual goal of a streetcar.  Congratulations to the city for making the shuttle a reality in just 10 months! More Coverage: EB Express, Oakland Tribune. Also: Photo Gallery, Map.