Resolution 0543907f):
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RESOLUTION NO. 5439
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY Of ALAMEDA PHOTESTifiG THE REPORT
AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE. UNITED GTATES CORPS OF NMI-
NEERS, SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT OFFICE, REGARDING THE
NEED FOR AND GONDTRUCTIGN OF A NEW FU1TVAIE AVENUE
WHEREAS, a, report is being sulmitted. by the United Staten Corps of Engi-
neers, San Francisco District OTfice, to the United States Government regarding
the need for and. construction of a new Fruitvale Avenue Bridge; and
WERaEAS, said report states the follaging conclusions:
"The District 4Mgi3eer finds also that under present status
of ownership and operatiun, and in vibw of thb antiquity of the ex
ing bridge, thb United States will be rebuired within a few years to
construst a replacement structure under the taros of the 1882 nth-
navigable canal decree, and at the same time sustain the navigable
factors of the existing. bridgb. Such a structure will be predlcated
upon. the following.:
a. Provihe foundatTons sufficient to accommodate only
the existing 18-foot depth of canal.
b. Maintain two 65-foot rassags ways at either side of
a center-turn span. or not less thsn 130 feet of horizontal clear-
ance in. a lift-span type.
c. Sustain. modern highway ionadngs.
d. Provihe tws lanes of highway width replacing
existing facilities:"
NOD', THEREFORE., BE IT PESO-1TH) ST THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA:
That the Council of the City of Alameda dues hereby protest the above
set out report. on the following grounds:
By a valid decree of condemnation the United States Ebs required to vat
its own. expense construbt and keep in repair sultable bridghs across the same
(tidal.. canal) on all roads now- used as public highways....and also suitable rails
roa/ . bridges on. the present railroad tracks crossing the line of said canard."
(itedics ours)
The United States has crevicssly recognized, in part its ftuties and.
iightions herein. by thb construction. of a new. arh modern railroxiC bridge almost
immediately. ahjacent to the present old and antiquated Prnitsals Avenue Bridge.
The report of the United States Carps of Engineers set cut above concedes
the need. for a nhw bridge structure at frnitvade Avenue but fails to takw into cons
sideration ths term "suitablb" in their rscommbndations.
The report recommends provision for only two isnbs of traffic, i.e., the
same as the present structure, which. ubs constructed. in 1901, gore than 55 years
ago. Ali studies of presbnt abe future treffTb corktitimns indTcate that a four (4)
lane Fruitvale Avenue Bridge is a maneatory minimum- Any structure of Tess size
would be grossly inadequate and unsuitable. Photographs 3 exlsting structures,
duly marked, are attached hereto.
This bridge is a connecting link between the: Cities of Alameda. and. •Oakisnd,
with respebtlee conulPtions of approximately 80,Ced anh. 450,000. Both cities havb
in. their reacts:tire areas large milltory establishments rsquirino an adeentate tract--
fic flow. Tee military and civilian personnel.. directly attached to City- of Alameda
installations alono is in ogress of 12,850. This factor alone generates twice
daily,
(1. 1. traffdc problems for thb City of Starnes:um directly accountable
to tnited Statbs Governent installations.
if further proof' of the importance of the size of this structure to the
UPTted States Government. be needbd, attached hereto is a lstter, dated January,
1948, to t4- City. Englneer of '3 /3 from the Commander of the Alameda Naval Air
Station, which indicates conclusively the need for an adsquate and modern struo-
turs from thu standpoint of natiompl defense.
The report recomonhations as to mlnimum distances for navigation needs
fails to take into account the fact thut a canted.. of 25-foot, rather thun. 18-foot
depth, has been authoriztie fbr this locatibm- The canal. depth, both authorized
and. potential, should indicate. also the need for 200 feet of horizontal clearance,
rather thun 150 fbet.
Recognizing the immediate and v6tal need of a modern or (4) lane
Fruitvale Avenue Bridge, the Cities of Alameda and Oakland have each agreed to
join. together to bear the full cost of the operation, maintenance, repair and
subsequent replacement of such a modern bridge if' the sera were constructed by
the boater States, This was upon the assumption and understamding that it was
common and obyieur knowleaga that the minimum size of such a bridge would. be
four (4) lanes in width.
The Council. of the City. of Alameda therefore vigorously protests the
rerert of the Csrre of Engineers and urgently requests it be not arcepted and
that a modern. four (4) land Frultvele Avenue Bridge be conatructed by. the
Federal Govarnment with adequate provision for present and futsre navigation
needs.
PE Id FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk. transkdt two certified
copies of this Resolution to the Board. of Supervisors of Alameda Countw- for
transmission to the United States Corps of Engineers for inclusion in their
report sot out above)
I, the undersignrd„ hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was
duly and regularly introduced and adopted by. the Council of the City of Alameda
in. regulur meeting assembled mn the 4th day of September, 1956, by. the following
vote, to wit)
AYES: Councilmen Haag, rove, McCall, Moresi and President
Krarelly, (5).
N1Ed: Eche.
ABSENT: None)
IN WITNESS') SUISRCHtas, I have hereunto set my hand and affiwrd. the offi-
cial se 1. of said. City thin 5th day of September, 1956)
SHIRLEY TEENIER
City Clerk of the City c GUrT.Meda
I hereby certify that the foregoing i3 a full, true and correct copy. of
TResolution Kan 5439, RESOLUTION OF THU CITY OF ALAMFT4 PROTESTING TEE (ISPORT AND
RadoMWENDRTIONO OF TUE UNITEb STATES CORPS DE ENGINEERS, S),(, FRANCISCO DISTRICT
OFFICE, HEGER:Dada THE WERD EON AND CONSTRUCTION OF A REV FRUITVELE AVENUE BRIDGE",
introduced and adopted by tea Council on the 6th day of fiectemtrr, 1956.
- 65-4)4E-11.ZOLOP
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( tity lerk-ea toe Cita- of Alameda