The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) is replacing the existing water transmission pipeline between Alameda and Bay Farm Island to improve the reliability and seismic resilience of the water system.
The existing pipeline was installed in 1983 beneath the San Leandro Channel and is vulnerable to earthquake damage because area soils are susceptible to liquefaction during strong ground shaking. Maintaining reliable transmission pipelines is especially important for Alameda because the city has no local drinking water storage tanks and depends on water delivered from storage reservoirs in Oakland.
The San Leandro Channel Crossing (SLCC) Pipeline Project will install approximately 2,100 feet of 30-inch-diameter high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe about 100 feet beneath the channel using Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), a trenchless construction method. New steel pipe will also be installed using open-trench construction to connect the new crossing to Alameda's water transmission system.
Important Construction Information: This project involves multiple phases of construction with varying impacts to nearby residents, businesses, commuters, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Please review the information below for details about construction activities, work hours, periods of higher noise, nighttime work, traffic and access impacts, and the temporary Park & Ride closure.
Community Benefits
The SLCC Project will provide a second seismically resilient water transmission pipeline serving Alameda. The first was completed in 2023 beneath the Oakland Inner Harbor, connecting Oakland and northern Alameda.
Together, the two crossings will provide greater redundancy in Alameda's water transmission system, helping maintain reliable water service during emergencies, maintenance activities, and following a major earthquake. This added resilience will benefit homes, businesses, schools, and emergency services throughout Alameda and Bay Farm Island.
Project Timeline
August–September 2026
Pre-construction activities will take place at various locations on Alameda Main Island and Bay Farm Island, including field investigations and utility locating.
October–November 2026
Crews will begin preparing the main HDD staging areas at the Peach Street cul-de-sac near Otis Drive and at the Bay Farm Park & Ride lot. These locations will serve as the entry and exit points for drilling beneath the San Leandro Channel. Activities will include sound wall construction and excavation of pits needed for HDD operations.
November 2026
The City of Alameda Park & Ride lot next to Grandview Pavilion (300 Island Drive) will be temporarily closed (see below for details).
Horizontal Directional Drilling beneath the San Leandro Channel is anticipated to begin. The overall HDD process is expected to take approximately 10 weeks.
As part of the drilling process, crews will hammer large steel casing into the ground through loose, unstable soils at the HDD staging areas. This activity is expected to generate the highest noise levels during HDD construction and will occur for approximately two weeks at each staging area.
Crews will also assemble the new HDPE pipeline above ground along Island Drive. The assembled pipeline will be temporarily stored along the eastern sidewalk of Island Drive in preparation for installation beneath the channel.
December 2026
HDD pipeline pullback is anticipated. Once pullback begins, the operation must continue without interruption until the pipeline is fully installed. The operation is expected to take approximately two days and will require continuous, 24-hour work, including nighttime work.
EBMUD will provide advance notice to nearby residents before the continuous pipeline pullback operation begins.
January 2027 and beyond
Open-trench pipeline construction and connections to Alameda's water transmission system will occur at several locations, including:
San Jose Avenue between Pearl Street and Peach Street
Peach Street between San Jose Avenue and Otis Drive
Island Drive between Doolittle Drive and Veterans Court
Veterans Court
Spring 2028
Project completion and restoration activities.
Construction dates are approximate and subject to change.
What to Expect During Construction
Construction will occur in phases through spring 2028. The HDD process beneath the San Leandro Channel is expected to take approximately 10 weeks, with noise levels varying depending on the type of work underway.
Typical work hours will be Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Noise levels will be monitored during construction. The approximately 2-day continuous HDD pipeline pullback will be an exception to typical work hours and will require weekend and overnight work.
Residents, businesses, commuters, pedestrians, and bicyclists near active work areas may experience temporary construction-related impacts, including:
Noise from drilling equipment, construction vehicles, excavation, and pipeline installation.
Higher noise levels during steel casing installation. Crews will use hammering equipment to install the steel casing. This is expected to be the loudest phase of HDD construction and will occur for approximately two weeks at each staging area.
Approximately two days of continuous, 24-hour work during HDD pipeline pullback, including weekend and nighttime work.
Above-ground pipeline assembly and temporary storage of the assembled HDPE pipeline along the eastern sidewalk of Island Drive.
Temporary lane closures, parking restrictions, and traffic delays near active work zones.
Increased construction vehicle traffic in the project area.
Temporary changes to pedestrian and bicycle access near construction activities.
Sound walls will be installed at the HDD staging areas, and noise and vibration levels will be monitored during construction. EBMUD will provide advance notice of major construction activities, nighttime work, and significant traffic changes whenever possible.
Park & Ride Temporary Closure
The City of Alameda Park & Ride lot next to Grandview Pavilion at 300 Island Drive will be temporarily closed for approximately six months during construction of the SLCC Project.
During the closure, temporary commuter parking spaces will be available at Harbor Bay Landing, 867 Island Drive, in front of the former CVS building. Temporary parking will be available as soon as the Park & Ride lot is closed.
Signs will be posted at the Park & Ride lot to notify commuters of the closure and direct them to the temporary parking location.
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Explained
To install the new pipeline beneath the San Leandro Channel, EBMUD will use Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), a trenchless construction method that allows the pipeline to be installed deep below the channel without excavating through or disturbing the waterway above.
The Peach Street cul-de-sac near Otis Drive and the Bay Farm Park & Ride area will serve as the entry and exit staging areas for drilling beneath the channel.
The HDD process involves several major steps:
1. Prepare the entry and exit areas
Crews will excavate pits and prepare equipment at the HDD staging areas on both sides of the San Leandro Channel.
2. Install steel casing
Large steel casing must be installed through the soils near the surface before drilling can continue deeper beneath the channel. Crews will use hammering equipment to drive the casing into the ground.
This is expected to be the loudest phase of HDD construction. Steel casing installation is anticipated to take approximately two weeks at each staging area. Higher-noise activities will take place Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Noise levels will be monitored during construction.
3. Drill beneath the San Leandro Channel
Once the casing is installed, specialized drilling equipment will create a borehole approximately 100 feet beneath the channel. The overall HDD process is expected to last approximately 10 weeks.
4. Assemble the new pipeline
While drilling is underway, crews will assemble the approximately 2,100-foot HDPE pipeline above ground along Island Drive. The assembled pipeline will be temporarily stored along the eastern sidewalk of Island Drive until it is ready to be installed.
5. Pull the pipeline beneath the channel
Once the borehole and pipeline are ready, crews will pull the completed HDPE pipeline through the borehole beneath the San Leandro Channel. Once pipeline pullback begins, the operation must continue without interruption until the pipeline is fully installed.
Pullback is expected to take approximately two days and will require continuous, 24-hour operations, including weekend and nighttime work. EBMUD will provide advance notice to nearby residents before this work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does EBMUD need to replace the existing pipeline?
The existing pipeline beneath the San Leandro Channel was installed in 1983 and is vulnerable to damage during a major earthquake because of the potential for soil liquefaction. The new pipeline will be designed to better withstand seismic movement and improve the reliability of Alameda's water transmission system.
What is happening at the Peach Street cul-de-sac?
The Peach Street area near Otis Drive will serve as one of the HDD staging areas and an entry/exit point for drilling beneath the San Leandro Channel. Crews will excavate an HDD pit, install drilling equipment and steel casing, and conduct drilling activities needed to install the new pipeline.
How long will HDD construction take?
The overall HDD process is expected to take approximately 10 weeks. Different construction activities will occur during this period, and noise levels will vary depending on the work underway.
What are the construction work hours?
Typical construction work hours will be Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Higher-noise activities will take place Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Noise levels will be monitored during construction.
The HDD pipeline pullback will be an exception and will require approximately two days of continuous, 24-hour work.
When will construction be the loudest?
The highest noise levels are expected during installation of the large steel casing at the HDD staging areas. Crews will use hammering equipment to drive the casing through the soil. This activity is anticipated to last approximately two weeks at each staging area. Noise levels will be monitored during construction.
Will there be nighttime construction?
Most HDD activities will occur during daytime work hours. However, pipeline pullback requires continuous operation once it begins and is expected to take approximately two days. During this period, work will continue 24 hours a day, including overnight. EBMUD will provide advance notice to nearby residents before this work begins.
Why can't the pipeline pullback stop overnight?
Once the pipeline begins moving through the completed borehole, the operation must continue until the pipeline is fully installed. Stopping during the process could create technical and construction risks and jeopardize successful installation of the pipeline.
What will happen along Island Drive?
The new approximately 2,100-foot HDPE pipeline will be assembled above ground along Island Drive and temporarily stored along the eastern sidewalk before it is pulled beneath the San Leandro Channel. Construction activities may temporarily affect pedestrian, bicycle, parking, or traffic access in the area.
Will construction affect traffic or parking?
Temporary lane closures, parking restrictions, and traffic delays will occur near some active work areas. Lane closures on Island Drive are anticipated Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. EBMUD will post signs and provide advance notice of significant traffic and parking changes.
Will pedestrian and bicycle access be affected?
Temporary changes to pedestrian and bicycle routes may be necessary near active construction areas. Signs and traffic controls will be used to help people safely navigate around the work.
Will my water service be affected?
EBMUD will provide advance notice if construction activities are expected to affect water service.
How will I know when major construction activities are happening?
EBMUD will provide project updates and advance notifications for major construction activities, nighttime work, and significant traffic changes. Updates will also be posted on this project webpage.
Contact Information
Community Affairs
Email: construction-south@ebmud.com
Phone: 510-287-0544
For after-hours assistance, please call 1-866-403-2683.
