CalTrans Warns Scenic Highway at Risk

Note: An official at the California Department of Transportation sent the following letter to Robert Merkamp on the planning staff of the City of Oakland. The letter warns that every project like the one proposed at High St. and MacArthur Blvd. puts the "scenic highway" desigation of highway 580 at risk. If we lose scenic highway designation, big-rig trucks would soon be allowed on 580.

Mr. Merkamp,

I was recently contacted by an Oakland constituent regarding the proposed senior housing development to be constructed at the intersection of High Street and MacArthur Boulevard. The constituent is concerned over the impact that this project would have on the visual quality at the High Street / MacArthur Boulevard vicinity as well as the overall impact on the status of the Route 580 scenic highway designation.

The project consists of a new five-story structure to be bounded by MacArthur Blvd, Route 580 freeway and High Street. This specific location falls within a segment of Route 580 that is officially designated as State Scenic Highway (post mile marker limits 34.5-45.2).

Under Streets and Highways Code statutes, scenic highway status was granted based on an approved protection program prepared and adopted by the City of Oakland. Authority to maintain this designation is vested with the local agency and is handled through the following methods: (1) regulation of land use and intensity (density) of development; (2) detailed land and site planning; (3) control of outdoor advertising; (4) careful attention to and control of earthmoving and landscaping); and (5) the design and appearance of structures and equipment.

In consideration of scenic highway status, Caltrans evaluates scenic quality of the highway corridor based on the level of visual intrusion occurring, i.e. the ratio of development compared to the intactness of the natural scenic environment. For example, motorists' views to distant hillsides (which are currently marginal) would no longer be viewed as scenic if foreground views of rooftops and backyards were exposed for lack of landscaping. View blockage resulting from new development contiguous with the freeway is also considered.

Scenic quality of this corridor is indeed fragile and affected by each new visual intrusion (or development) viewed from the freeway, especially when it involves the placement of a five-story building directly adjacent to the freeway. The effects of this project won't necessarily impact the present scenic highway designation, however, cumulative impacts of this project as well as future projects may jeopardize subsequent consideration for maintaining the scenic highway designation.

Bryan Walker
Scenic Highway Coordinator
Caltrans Office of Landscape Architecture