This is one of those posts where I had no writing intention, let alone know it existed. Two examples are my most popular post, “The Forgotten Tunnel,” or “The Backyard Fence War” I stumbled across articles on both while researching another post. Sometimes they pan out, and I find many exciting things to share. I wasn’t so lucky with this post, and it ended up being kind of a dud. I thought I would share it anyway.
Groundbreaking
A groundbreaking celebration was held in November of 1956 for the new Bancroft Avenue Parkway, and construction began soon after.
Bancroft Avenue was to become a major thoroughfare linking San Leandro and Oakland, relieving the traffic on MacArthur, Foothill, and East 14th (now International)
Oakland Mayor Clifford E. Rishell and Alameda County Supervisor operating an enormous earthmover, lifting the first load of earth.
They symbolized joint city-county participation.
The project’s estimated cost was $4,000,000 and was financed jointly from Oakland and Alameda County’s state gas tax funds.
Needed Relief
The need for this arterial was foreseen as early as 1927 when the major street plan of the city was formulated. Uncontrolled subdivisions in East Oakland’s early history had left a large area with no provision for the essential east-west movement.
The parkway was to provide the much-needed relief of Foothill Boulevard, MacArthur Boulevard, and East 14th Street (now international), as well as a direct connection to an existing major city street, Bancroft Avenue in San Leandro.
Studies for this thoroughfare were commenced in 1941, and protection of the right-of-way started.
The Bancroft Parkway
The parkway was to extend from the San Leandro city limits to East 14th Street(now International) and 46th Avenue.
“The project will convert Bancroft from a rundown noncontinuous street and railroad right-of-way to a major intercity thoroughfare and railroad parkway.”
California Highways and Public Works Oakland Progress Page 37 – March- April 1958
The Design
The parkway had a two-lane section on each side with room for parking. In the center divider was the Southern Pacific railroad spur line to the Chevrolet Assembly Plant, and it was concealed with trees and shrubbery.
The Units
- The first unit was 1.17 miles from the San Leandro border to 90th avenue.
- The second unit was between 90th to 79th Avenues. – June 1957
- The third unit was 79th Avenue to Havenscourt Blvd – Spring 1958
Total Length: 4.25 miles
Removal of Buildings
The City of Oakland acquired property along the route.
- The east side of Church Street and 68th Avenue.
- Between 90th Avenue and Parker Street.
- The western side of Church Street and 73rd Avenue
- The south side of Bancroft Avenue is east of 74th Avenue.
- The north side of Bancroft Avenue between 96th and 98th Avenues.
The following is a list of removed structures for the extension of the Bancroft Parkway.
A miscellaneous collection of buildings along Bancroft Avenue between 73rd Avenue and Havenscourt Blvd. were offered for sale by the City of Oakland.
The assortment included duplexes, a store, several homes, and garages. They had to be moved or demolished. The minimum bid was $2,850 for the entire group.
The Final Destinatination
Today Bancroft Avenue is down to one lane in each direction with bike lanes.
More:
- New Freeway Link Opens – Oakland Tribune March 27, 1951
- County to Aid in Bancroft Project – Oakland Tribune June 20, 1953
- County Board Accepts Bancroft Avenue Project Oakland Tribune October 11, 1955
- Bancroft Parkway – Oakland Tribune November 25, 1956
- Oakland Gets $462,948 Share From Gas Taxes – Oakland Tribune January 16, 1957
- Sale to Clear Bancroft Ave. Parkway Path – Oakland Tribune April 16, 1958
- Oakland Ok’d Third Bancroft Project – Oakland Tribune July 16, 1958
- Rezoning Deal – Oakland Tribune April 4, 1962
Very interesting thank you so much for all information.
Great article, thank you! The aerial view from 1958 of Bancroft @ 107th shows the remaining rail line coming up 105th from San Leandro Blvd that was connecting to the Chevrolet Plant at the location of the current Eastmont mall. The original key system streetcar line had continued down Bancroft to Victoria Circle, and to International and 47th Ave on the other side, and was removed by 1958. Also, to understand the “before” state of the route, this 1951 Shell map of the east ay is helpful: https://alamedainfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Map-of-Oakland-and-East-Bay-Cities-Shell-1951.jpg
This page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Bay_Electric_Lines has some more details of the rail line (it was East Bay Electric Lines, not Key System, and went to Dutton, not Victoria Cirle, my mistakes), including a map showing what would become Bancroft in 1958. The rail line was closed in 1941.
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the link to the map, it will come in handy in the future. Dorothy