From the Globe Business Desk

On Thursday, elected officials from the cities of Oakland and San Leandro and representatives from the Port of Oakland and California Department of Transportation marked the groundbreaking of the last two components of the Airport Gateway Streetscape Project. The event was held at the intersection of Doolittle Drive and Airport Access Road.

  The $11 million Airport Gateway Streetscape Project, which began in 1998, focuses on streetscape improvements along four thoroughfares — 98th Avenue, Hegenberger Road, Doolittle Drive and Airport Access Road — radiating from the Oakland International Airport. The improvements along these routes are intended to enhance the visual impression of arriving visitors and residents as they enter and exit the airport. The 98th Avenue and Hegenberger Road streetscapes were completed in 2001 and 2002, respectively.
    The streetscape improvements for both Doolittle Drive and Airport Access Road call for construction of new sidewalks, extensive sidewalk and median landscaping and installation of ornamental streetlights. Existing streetlights on Doolittle Drive will be painted teal to complement other Gateway elements.
    Two monuments marking the border shared by Oakland and San Leandro will serve as a physical reminder of the collaborative nature of the Doolittle Drive improvements. These column-like structures, to be placed on the east and west sides of the thoroughfare, will rise up to 23 feet in height and be illuminated by decorative sconces. The names of the two cities will be etched on either side of each column.
    The $2.7 million Doolittle Drive streetscape project is funded by the Oakland Redevelopment Agency, the city of San Leandro and the Port of Oakland. John Calahan, landscape architect, designed this project and McGuire and Hester of Oakland will construct it. San Leandro’s Engineering and Transportation Department provided design administration and will oversee construction.
    Funding for the $1.3 million Airport Access Road improvements is provided by the Oakland Redevelopment Agency. Landscape architects Dillingham Associates designed the streetscape and Ray’s Electric is the general contractor. Design administration and construction administration will be provided by the city of Oakland’s Public Works Agency.