The City of Emeryville's Public Works Department is responsible for designing, inspecting, managing, and maintaining all city-owned facilities in the public right-of-way, including pavement, sidewalks, streetlights, traffic signals, sewers, and storm drains.
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March 2026 Project Update - 40th Street Multimodal Project
The 40th Street Multimodal Project has reached a key milestone and is being brought forward to the Emeryville City Council for adoption of the Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and authorization for the City Engineer to advertise the project for construction bids in March 2026. This step follows nearly a decade of planning, technical analysis, and community engagement focused on improving safety and mobility along the 40th Street corridor.
On November 18, 2025, the Emeryville City Council approved the updated project description for the 40th Street Multimodal Project and directed staff to complete environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) prior to bringing the project back for further Council consideration. The staff report(PDF, 216KB), resolution(PDF, 2MB), and Attachment A – Project Description(PDF, 74KB)
presented to the City Council at that meeting are provided for reference.
City staff have completed the environmental review process for the project, including preparation of an Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The environmental document, along with a comprehensive Response to Comments report addressing feedback received during the public comment period, will be presented to City Council.
The proposed project includes dedicated transit-only lanes, protected bicycle facilities, pedestrian safety improvements, and intersection modifications designed to reduce turning conflicts and improve corridor operations for all roadway users. The project also includes proposed vehicle access restrictions at select unsignalized intersections along the north side of 40th Street intended to improve safety and reduce conflicts with the protected bikeway and transit lanes.
If the items are approved at the March 17, 2026 City Council meeting, construction is currently anticipated to begin in late 2026 and be completed in late 2028. The City will continue to provide updates on the project and next steps as the project advances through key milestones.
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Check for latest news Public Works Projects and Other Important Information on the City's News Flash. Additionally, Public Works manages the Transportation and Sustainability Committee (2nd Tuesday of each month at 4:00PM) and the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (1st Monday of each month at 5:30PM).
What We Do
Engineering Services: Our Engineering division is at the forefront of building a better Emeryville. We establish and maintain the city's design and construction standards, ensuring that all new development is safe, durable, and meets the needs of our community. We oversee the city's Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which is a multi-year plan for upgrading and modernizing our public infrastructure. From concept to completion, we manage the design, bidding, and construction of a wide range of projects.
Maintenance & Operations: The Maintenance & Operations division is the backbone of the Public Works Department, working every day to keep Emeryville safe, clean, and beautiful. Our crews are responsible for the ongoing maintenance and repair of our city's physical assets which include public facilities, parks, and other infrastructure.
Essential Infrastructure: Managing what’s unseen is critical to the daily function and environmental health of Emeryville. Our team is responsible for the complex network of underground pipes that make up our sanitary sewer and storm drain systems.
Environmental Services: Our Environmental Services team is dedicated to protecting and enhancing Emeryville's natural resources. We lead the city's sustainability initiatives, including climate action planning and sea level rise adaptation. We also manage a variety of programs aimed at reducing waste, conserving water, and improving the health of our local ecosystem.
Traffic & Transportation: Public Works is focused on ensuring the safe and efficient movement of people and goods throughout the city. We manage the city's 35 traffic signals, over 1,900 streetlights, and regional transportation planning efforts, with a focus on creating a multimodal transportation network that is accessible to all.