COMMUNITY ADVISORY
March 19, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Sarah Henry, Public Information Officer
(510) 747-4714
Posey Tube Leaving Alameda Closed for Repair Work on Oakland Sinkhole
One Lane of the Posey Tube to reopen at Midnight Tonight
At 10am this morning, the Posey Tube leaving Alameda was closed, and will remain closed until midnight tonight. At that time, we expect one single lane to reopen for the rest of the week. The next phase of the repair work involves filling the sinkhole and restoring the pavement, which is weather dependent.
The bike path in the Posey Tube remains open to the public.
The City of Oakland, Caltrans, AC Transit, WETA, and the City of Alameda are working together to minimize impacts, communicate updates, and complete the repairs as quickly as possible.
Background
On Friday evening, March 16, a sinkhole was identified in Oakland at 6th Street and Harrison Street, immediately after the Posey Tube leaving Alameda and entering Oakland. A damaged storm drain pipe was identified as the cause of the sinkhole. Crews from Oakland Public Works (OPW) closed one lane in the Posey Tube to begin repairs. On Saturday, the City of Alameda published a Nixle alert with this information and posted the lane closure on social media channels. By Sunday, OPW had repaired the damaged storm drain pipe, however, in the course of the excavation for the repair, crews discovered that the repair of the sinkhole would require closure of both lanes of the Posey Tube. At 10am this morning, both lanes closed for repair work, and will remain closed until midnight tonight.
Traffic Control
The Alameda Police Department is closely monitoring traffic and access to the Park Street Bridge and other points off the island. This morning, traffic control had multiple units at the Posey Tube as well as units at 29th and Ford Streets in Oakland. Alameda Public Works deployed changeable message signs in four locations before the entrance to the Posey Tube to alert drivers about the lane closure and traffic impacts.
AC Transit
AC Transit identified routes affected by these repairs and activated a service plan to keep buses running. Detours began on lines 19, 20, 51A, 96, O, and W when the Posey Tube leaving Alameda closed at 10am this morning, and will continue until further notice. Please expect delays on these lines.
Until further notice, the northbound stops on Webster Street at Atlantic Avenue and at Willie Stargell Avenue will not be served. Board Line 19 to Downtown Oakland at the regular stop on Atlantic Avenue at Challenger Drive. Board Line 20 to Downtown Oakland; Line 51A to Rockridge BART; Line 851 to Berkeley BART; and lines O and W to San Francisco at the regular stop on Webster Street at Buena Vista Avenue. Line 96 to the Diamond District will be detoured but will not miss any stops. Please check AC Transit’s website at actransit.org and social media channels for updates at @rideact.
Traffic Updates
For traffic updates please visit http://511.org/.
Alternative Route Information
Please visit the City of Alameda Alerts page for up-to-date information on impacts to Alameda, including morning and evening alternative routes to avoid the Posey Tube:
Emergency Alerts, Repair Updates
The City of Alameda posts serious traffic alerts, criminal activity, and other critical information via Nixle. To sign-up to receive alerts, text your zip code to 888777 or register online: https://local.nixle.com/register/.
Please also visit the City of Alameda’s Facebook and Twitter pages for updated information.
#####
