Oakland
International Cross-Airport Parkway Opens in Alameda
Twenty Years of Collaboration Culminates in
Dedication of “Ron Cowan Parkway” by State and Local Leaders
![](July%20Ron%20Cowan%20event%20Perata.JPG) |
The
ferryrider’s champion, State Sentaor Don Perata,
speaks at the ceremonies marking the opening of
the Ron Cowan Parkway. |
In a ceremony celebrating nearly two
decades of collaboration between city and county agencies in
Alameda and Oakland, Sunne McPeak, California Secretary for
the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, as well as
local and state officials, formally dedicated Ron Cowan
Parkway—the new cross-airport parkway extending from Airport
Drive at Oakland International to Alameda’s Harbor Bay
Parkway.
Former Alameda mayor, the late Ralph
Appezzato, nominated Harbor Bay Isle developer Ron Cowan as
the namesake for the parkway after his efforts led to the
inclusion of the cross-airport parkway in the funding
package to improve traffic circulation into and around the
Oakland Airport, creating a gateway to Alameda. The
cross-airport parkway project was approved by Alameda County
voters in 1986 as part of Measure B–the first county sales
tax transportation initiative in the state. “This project
would not have been possible without Measure B. It is an
example of how voter-approved funds are improving our
transportation system, as well as our communities,” said
Supervisor Nate Miley, chair of the Alameda County
Transportation Authority. Today, such sales tax measures are
common for allocating local tax money to local and regional
transportation and transit projects. Measure B was
overwhelmingly renewed by voters in 2000.
![](July%20Ron%20Cowan%20event%20McPeak%20Speaking.JPG) |
Sunne
Wright McPeak hails the opening of the Ron Cowan
parkway. The honoree is seated to the left. |
“The opening of Ron Cowan Parkway
represents nearly 20 years of regional collaboration to
provide commute alternatives to and from the Oakland
Airport,” said Beverly Johnson, Mayor of Alameda. “For 30
years, Ron Cowan has been a steady hand in the planning and
development of Alameda’s Harbor Bay Isle community. His
energy and vision brought transportation projects like the
new parkway and ferry service to our community. It’s my
pleasure to honor Ron for his leadership and commitment.”
The dedication was attended by leaders in
building the new parkway, including Attorney General Bill
Lockyer, who was a state senator during the project’s
inception; State Senator Don Perata; Port of Oakland
Commission president, John Protopappas; Hacienda Business
Park developer, Jack Callahan; former San Leandro Mayor,
Jack Maltester; and former Mayor of Hayward, Jack Smith.
“I am honored by the naming of the new parkway and grateful
to everyone who dedicated time and energy during the past 20
years to see the completion of this extremely complex
project,” said Ron Cowan, CEO of the DoricGroup, a developer
of multi-use communities, including Harbor Bay Isle. “For
three decades, I’ve witnessed the island community of
Alameda grow into one of the most desirable cities to live
and work in the Bay Area. It is truly a pleasure to be
called upon to help ensure the area continues to thrive.”
In addition to the cross-airport parkway,
Mr. Cowan also helped bring another major transportation
project to the Bay Area—the cross-bay ferry service from
Harbor Bay Isle in Alameda to San Francisco was established
in 1989 after nearly a decade-long effort and a major
earthquake drove the project to completion.
“The Port of Oakland is pleased to have
contributed to this important project with both funding and
overseeing construction. Since opening Ron Cowan Parkway on
March 12, commuters are using this much-needed connection
between Alameda and Oakland International Airport and the
880 freeway. It’s great to see that this new access is
already easing traffic congestion,“ said Port of Oakland
Board president John Protopappas. Previously, commuter
access to and from Oakland International Airport and the
City of Alameda was limited to the busy Doolittle Drive. The
new parkway connects commuters directly from Ron Cowan
Parkway at the intersection of Harbor Bay Parkway directly
to the Oakland Airport and I-880, providing a gateway to
Alameda.