Caltrans considering lifting I-580 truck ban in East Bay due to pollution, traffic concerns

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — The stretch of freeway where trucks are banned runs through heavily populated areas of Oakland and San Leandro.

Instead of using Interstate 580, trucks have been forced to use Interstate 880 to travel through the area.

It’s a route that Brian Beaveridge of the West Oakland Environmental Impacts Project says has a history of discrimination.

“In the beginning, there was clearly a race element. Who had the most political power? And it was more affluent white people who had that power,” he said.

Studies show people living along the I-880 corridor have been exposed to higher levels of pollution and have elevated rates of asthmatic health issues compared to those living along I-580.

A fact that Oakland resident Darin Jensen says makes him support lifting the truck ban.

“Even saying so, I do worry it sounds like virtue signaling but my family and I are committed to our community at large,” Jensen said.

Pollution is the main factor driving this debate but it’s not the only one.

Along I-580, commuters tell me they also have concerns about traffic.

On Tuesday night, many drivers told ABC7 News they worry an influx of trucks would make the already congested stretch of I-580 even worse.

Rene Galvez says she wants more information before making a final decision, but has worries.

“I don’t know that our city currently has all of the means to address those concerns for our constituents,” Galvez said.

Beaveridge acknowledges that even if it would be more equitable, the idea of spreading pollution around isn’t ideal.

For him, the solution lies elsewhere.

“I don’t think anyone should live with pollution. There’s billions of dollars being spent in California to reduce the pollution of trucks and the freight system, to get zero emission trucks. It’s not moving fast enough,” said Beaveridge.

Caltrans says a study looking at the implications of possibly removing the truck ban should be finished within the next 12 to 18 months.