$16 million in Metro grants backs Fremont–Huntington safety, bike and signal upgrades; public outreach set for Feb.–Mar.

Staff told the Public Works and Infrastructure Commission that the Fremont–Huntington Corridor Improvement Project has secured two Metro grants awarded in 2021 and 2022 totaling about $16 million and will focus on safety and multimodal improvements along Huntington Drive and Fremont Avenue.

Staff described a set of design alternatives under review—options range from Class II bike lanes to protected Class IV facilities, raised intersections, signal upgrades, pedestrian bulb-outs and curb/striping changes. The project covers about 1.5 miles of Huntington Drive (Alhambra Road to Garfield Avenue) and roughly 1.8 miles of Fremont Avenue (Alhambra Road to Columbia Street).

Two community outreach meetings are planned for late February and early March and staff expects to bring refined alternatives back to PWIC in March, share public comments with City Council, and complete project approval/environmental documents in April with final design in September. Staff noted the Measure M grant funding expires June 30, 2028, which is driving an accelerated schedule to advertise construction in October and begin in November with a target to finish before the 2028 Olympics.

Commissioners asked how constrained cross sections (limited right-of-way) will be resolved—whether on-street parking, bike facilities or curb changes would be prioritized—and staff said the public outreach will inform trade-offs and that homeowners affected by changes will be contacted for case-by-case coordination. No formal action was taken; staff will share materials for commissioner review ahead of public meetings.