In a heated listening session on Saturday, opponents of a Caltrans examine to raise the ban on vans on Interstate 580 argued the transfer would unfold well being and environmental impacts into extra communities.
The I-580 freeway in Oakland on Oct. 21, 2025. In a heated listening session on Saturday, opponents of a Caltrans examine to raise the ban on vans on I-580 argued the transfer would unfold well being and environmental impacts into extra communities. (Martin do Nascimento/KQED)
Repealing the ban would permit giant vans to make use of I-580, a hall that runs by the East Bay hills. Paratransit and buses carrying passengers are already exempt from the ban.
“We’re very sympathetic to the truth that 880 has the vans and elevated ranges of bronchial asthma, however our message to Caltrans is to resolve the issue the place it exists. Don’t unfold it to new communities. Don’t bait one group in Oakland in opposition to one other group,” Terry Lee, a volunteer with No Massive Rigs on I-580, mentioned.
The findings of the examine wouldn’t routinely imply that the ban could be repealed, in keeping with Caltrans. Any change would require a state regulation be handed.
However attendees against the examine mentioned additionally they took subject with what they referred to as a scarcity of engagement by Caltrans. All through the tense assembly, a number of attendees interrupted officers’ presentation and demanded that questions submitted on-line not be heard in favor of listening to group issues within the room.
At one level, a person interrupted officers, saying “You’re gonna pay attention, and we’re gonna discuss.”
Some commenters mentioned they hadn’t heard of the listening session or examine by Caltrans, and as an alternative came upon about it by different residents.
Cameron Oakes, deputy district director of transportation and native help at Caltrans, mentioned that the in-person listening session — which was considered one of 4 within the final month — was solely a part of the engagement course of.
“We’re really conducting further outreach past our authentic scope. We’re persevering with to succeed in out to numerous stakeholders within the area and can proceed to take action,” Oakes mentioned.
Oakes mentioned that there are different listening classes deliberate for this summer time to current the preliminary examine’s findings.
One of many solely residents who spoke in assist of the examine and the lifting of the ban talked about historic environmental racism.
“We’ve got a protracted historical past on this nation of deciding that environmental impacts ought to solely have an effect on folks of shade and poor folks,” mentioned Susanna, who lives alongside the I-580 hall and didn’t give her final title.
Donald Duggan, who authored a latest examine wanting into the demographics of each corridors, mentioned that permitting vans on I-580 would really affect extra folks of shade.
“There are twice as many Black individuals who dwell alongside 580 than dwell alongside 880,” Duggan mentioned.
The draft examine findings are anticipated this summer time and a ultimate report could possibly be prepared as quickly as the tip of 2026, in keeping with Oakes.
