As a daily commuter from 12th and Pine to Emeryville by car or bike, Wood St is my main route. Navigating the gauntlet of criss crossing tracks and huge gaping pits around the tracks is an extreme challenge by bike and not much less by car. And the clear lack of any lane indication and most cars desire to avoid the tracks makes for some dangerous driving conditions for sure. And that doesn't even take into account the random giant piles of trash that are left behind by various types that can't seem to get to the dump. But that's a whole other story...

I've said it before and I will say it again: Someone will be badly injured, there are axle-breaking sized pot-holes... this is a serious issue and something that really needs to be addressed. As it is, people drive on the wrong side of Wood Street in this area because of the horrendous quality of the road - one side is worse than the other. They do this while driving very fast as well because it's a more direct route to Target and Emeryville - and sometimes because it's just a long road where they can race stolen cars.

My husband and I agree that this street is totally hazardous and is in need of repairs. We got brand new tires in late 2011 and within a week had popped one on the sharp edge of these old train tracks (while travelling on Wood street between 26th and 32nd late one night). Luckily, we were able to pull around the corner and put on the spare tire in the light next to PS print, but this would have been even more dangerous if we had needed to do it in the dark on Wood St. Not only are the train tracks bumpy and can't possibly be good for the car's suspension, but there are also some various areas with sharp parts of train tracks sticking out that can easily slash a tire.

My husband had a fairly painful bike accident due to pits in the concrete along the tracks. They also make traveling by scooter hazardous. Side streets 19th and 18th are equally hazardous.

My fiance and I had painful falls on our bikes from the train tracks right before the W Grand overpass. I now have a lovely scar where my bike petal gouged into my ankle. Not good for bicyclists and motorists alike!

City of Oakland Public Works Agency referred this issue to BURLINGTON NORTHERN RAILWAY, service request # 399377. Please contact that agency to follow-up. For more information, please visit the "Helpful Links to Other Resource Partners" at the link below.
http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/PWA/Connect/ReportaProblem/index.htm
Thank you.

Had to replace a tire and rim from falling into the canyons thereabouts. Not to burden Oakland budget, but this needs attention!

I spoke with BNSF Railway and was referred to the local Roadmaster, Wayne Morris (209-460-6340) who states that he is aware of the issue. He can remove the old tracks, but the City of Oakland will need to agree to repave the road. I'm not familiar with what the legal documents state in regards to old track removal, but this is the current hold up.

Short story: BNSF will agree to ripping up the old tracks if City of Oakland agrees to repave the road.

Ball is back in your court, DPW. But I think some advocating at the council member levelwould be helpful. They seem to hold the purse strings. District 3: Nancy Nadel nnadel@oaklandnet.com.

Pressure on the city! We have an ridiculous amount of time between pavings. I THINK I was told every 76 years - once in a lifetime, literally!

How do we as a community go about this? Do we all contact Nadel with our concerns? Is there a council member meeting where we can raise the issue? I don't know how this process works, but I'd be willing to participate in getting those roads repaved. I want them to address the side streets as well, on either side of the sports field and connecting to Wood.

14th Street leading to downtown could use help, too, but let's pick our battles. Our representatives serve their constituents. The more constituents concerned about an issue, the more they pay attention (this usually works, particularly on the local level). Nancy's office has always responded quickly to any of my concerns, and if you contact her, you should hear back with information of some sort, even if it's that Oakland doesn't have any money. DPW may respond regarding their budget capacity as well. As we gather info, we share it and move from there. A large showing at a Council meeting, particularly during budget process, also makes a difference. I think we have to recognize that there are some other priority concerns... lots of information on WO plans on her website.

BTW, we should probably take this discussion to our FB page... this should be reporting on the issue, not strategy...

Dear Sir or Madam:

Thank you for your request. Please be advised that the City of Oakland and Burlington Northern Railway are aware of the conditions at Wood Street and will be working on mitigation measures to resolve. Thank you, in advance, for your continued patience as we work through this issue.

It has not been fixed. I wonder if simply painting lanes on wood is a possibility, since pulling up the tracks is put of the cities hands?

I understand that getting the train tracks removed is a huge deal but, in the meantime, why can't we get some lines painted on the street?

@Marcella
You misheard. Repaving is not on a 76 year cycle.
It is an 85-year plan.

http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/PWA/s/SST/index.htm

This has not been taken care of, but i am tired of getting emails to close it. So, i am closing it.

Why are you closing it. Let's just leave it open until the problem is fixed. Having open issues lets Oakland and its residents keep track of issues which need to be fixed, even if they are quite old issues.

Why are you closing it. Let's just leave it open until the problem is fixed. Having open issues lets Oakland and its residents keep track of issues which need to be fixed, even if they are quite old issues.