Drivers along Alameda's Central Avenue are getting a loud visual reminder about where they can roll and where they absolutely cannot park. City crews have splashed fresh red paint on curbs, put up new signs and wrapped up a round of lane striping as work continues on the Central Avenue Safety Improvement Project.
In an update shared Friday, the city highlighted that the stretch of Central between Eighth Street and Webster Street is a driving lane only, not a parking zone. Crews have also finished striping between Sixth Street and Lincoln Avenue, and new roundabout signs are now in place to guide drivers through the reworked intersections.
City Shares Progress Pics, Clarifies the Rules
In a photo-filled update on its Facebook page, the City of Alameda said crews are installing red curbs and additional signage along Central Avenue, reiterating that the curb area from Eighth to Webster is reserved for moving traffic, not parked cars. The images show workers laying down fresh lane striping and setting roundabout signs at intersection approaches. The city is urging drivers to follow the new markings while construction continues.
How the Work Fits Into the Bigger Safety Plan
The red-curb, striping and roundabout sign work is one piece of the broader Central Avenue Safety Improvement Project, a 1.7-mile overhaul that introduces a road diet, new bikeways, a center left-turn lane and three roundabouts to slow traffic and improve crossings, according to the City of Alameda. Construction started earlier this year, and the city lists Phase 1 and Phase 2 as completed paving milestones. Stage 3, which includes the remaining roundabout work, is scheduled to wrap up in mid-spring 2026. City materials say the changes are designed to make the corridor safer for people walking, biking and riding transit.
Timeline, Detours And Day-To-Day Disruptions
The project has been moving forward in stages, and each phase has come with its own set of short-term hassles, from lane closures to detours affecting drivers and bus routes, the Alameda Post reported. During paving and striping operations, the city has posted No Parking notices and has been alerting residents and nearby businesses to brief driveway impacts. Officials say pedestrian access and access to local businesses have been kept open while the work proceeds.
What Neighbors Will See Next On Central
When all the cones and construction crews finally clear out, the city says the street layout will look very different. "When the project is complete, parking will be restored on the north side of the street. The south side of the street will be a curb-protected two-way cycle track," according to the City of Alameda.
In the meantime, crews will keep finishing striping, dialing in the signage and installing the remaining roundabout elements over the coming months, so residents should expect occasional lane shifts and adjustments as that work is completed. For immediate questions or to flag any issues in the work zone, the city's project page lists contact information for the construction team and the project inspector.
