AC Transit and the City of Berkeley recognize the importance of providing and promoting quality transit operations along this corridor and in the Southside neighborhood, and Durant Avenue is a key transit corridor in this area. Current transit service along Durant Avenue consists of multiple AC Transit local lines, school bus lines, and an all-nighter bus line (6, 36, 51B, 79, 604, 605 and 851), which connect students, educators, visitors, and residents from the University and the Southside area to downtown Oakland, Emeryville, Alameda, and El Cerrito. The corridor is also one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Berkeley, home to restaurants, bars, shops, student housing, and campus buildings, among many others. The dynamic mixed traffic flow and parking behavior along this corridor often cause delays to transit service schedule, diminishing transit service reliability and impeding rider access.

The Durant Avenue Quick Build project, led by AC Transit, will deliver roadway reconfigurations, bus stop improvements, and traffic signal modifications to Durant Avenue between Fulton Street and College Avenue. These modifications aim to reduce traffic congestion, improve transit reliability, promote transit use, and promote safety and accessibility.

Project Area

Durant Avenue – Between Fulton Street and College Avenue.

Project Objectives

Enhance transit operations and amenities along Durant Avenue:

• Increasing transit-time reliability by improving travel times
• Reduce conflicts between buses and general-purpose vehicles
• Improve safety and quality of existing bus stops
• Streamline pick-up and drop-off operations

Project Elements

Roadway reconfiguration – Fulton Street to College Avenue

• Transit Lane – Convert one general purpose lane to a bus-only lane through pavement markings and red paint (budget allowing)

Bus Stop Modifications

• Bus Boarding Bulbs - Convert three existing bus stops to bus boarding bulbs to streamline drop-off and boarding operations. Bus boarding bulbs create an in-lane stop which prevent the need for buses to pull-out and merge back into traffic.
• Bus Shelters and Amenities - Implement bus shelters and other bus stop amenities such as pedestrian-scale lighting to provide transit users a more comfortable and secure experience while waiting and promote transit as a desirable mobility option for users.

Traffic Signal Modifications – College Avenue / Durant Avenue

• Queue Jump - Implement a queue jump signal to provide a “head start” for buses continuing right onto College Avenue or straight on Durant Avenue.
• Signal Phasing - Modify signal phasing to eliminate westbound right-turn vehicle conflict with College Avenue pedestrian movement.

Project Schedule

• November – March 2023: Project Development
• April 2023: Complete Design
• Summer 2023 to Winter 2023: Construction

For more information about AC Transit’s Quick Build Project visit actransit.org/quick-builds. You can also sign up to receive project updates and other AC Transit-related news and information at actransit.org/subscribe.

Funding Partner: Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)

Contact Information

Email: planning@actransit.org

Mailing Address:
AC Transit
Service Planning Department
1600 Franklin Street
Oakland, CA 94612

Phone: (510) 891-7262