HAYWARD, CA – Assemblymember Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward) announced today that significant progress has been made for San Lorenzo High School (SLzHS) and the I-238 widening project with regards to student safety and campus aesthetics.   

After several meetings with Assemblymember Hayashi, Caltrans and ACTIA have decided to replace the currently contracted metal beam guardrail with a 4 foot and 8 inch tall concrete barrier and a 3 foot tall attached fence atop the concrete barrier as a first-step solution.  Using existing funds, this new barrier should eliminate many of the student safety concerns and sight distractions mentioned by district administrators and board members, students, and the community.

Caltrans and ACTIA have also agreed to replace the former grove of eucalyptus trees that once stood as a natural barrier to the freeway with a row of redwood trees.  Caltrans will install a new irrigation system for SLzHS to guarantee the long-term health of the trees.  Over time, the redwoods will once again block the view of traffic from the athletic fields and help eliminate the flow of air pollution from the freeway.

Although these improvements address the safety and aesthetic issues, the immediate plans do not include a sound wall to buffer students from the freeway noise.  Federal and state guidelines stipulate that a school qualifies for a sound wall when the decibel rating outside reaches 67 points.  Currently, the decibel rating at SLzHS is 77 decibels.  At the completion of this project, the decibel rating will increase to 79 decibels.  Building a sound wall would reduce the noise students hear by 12 decibels. 

Assemblymember Hayashi will continue to work with Caltrans and ACTIA to address the need for a sound wall at San Lorenzo High School as part of the I-238 Local Alternative Transportation Improvement Program (LATIP) for Central Alameda County.  Revenue from the sale of surplus state property along the former Foothill Freeway of State Route 238 will fund the LATIP.  

“Agreeing to build a safety wall and replanting the trees is a good first-step,” stated Hayashi.  “Making sure that San Lorenzo High School gets a sound wall as part of the LATIP for Central Alameda County is the ultimate second step.  Caltrans and ACTIA have demonstrated tremendous cooperation with my office and I will continue working closely with them throughout the LATIP process.”

Hayashi serves the 18th Assembly District, which includes San Leandro, Hayward, Dublin, most of Castro Valley and Pleasanton, and a portion of Oakland, as well as the unincorporated areas of Ashland, Cherryland and San Lorenzo.