Lafayette Aqueduct Pathway Project
Lafayette Secures $3.7M State Funding to Construct Portion of Aqueduct Pathway in Downtown Lafayette
The City of Lafayette has secured $3.7 million in State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funding to construct a key segment of the Aqueduct Pathway, a safe, fully separated route for people walking and biking through downtown. This funding, combined with other sources, will support construction of the segment between Dolores Drive and the Lafayette BART station—closing a critical gap in the City’s active transportation network. Once complete, the pathway will provide a continuous, car-free connection between neighborhoods, downtown destinations, and regional transit, making it easier and safer for residents to access BART, local businesses, schools, and community amenities. Construction of this segment is anticipated to begin in 2029.
The Aqueduct Pathway is being developed within the existing East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) corridor and is envisioned as a long-term, citywide and regional asset. A western segment between Risa Road and Dolores Drive opened recently, and design is currently underway for the next phase extending east toward Pleasant Hill Road.
Ultimately, the pathway is planned to connect to the regional trail network, including routes to Walnut Creek and the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail. By providing a safe alternative to busy roadways and supporting first- and last-mile access to transit, the project will help accommodate future housing growth, reduce reliance on driving, and create a more connected and sustainable community.
Within Lafayette's downtown, the pathway right-of-way provides direct connections to BART as well as providing access to new and existing housing sites, employment, and commercial/retail and institutional land uses.
Design work began on the pathway project in 2025. The work will move the project from conceptual to a final design that's ready for construction.
EBMUD Aqueduct Pathway Study
In 2012 Lafayette completed the "Feasibility and Options Study for a Pedestrian and Bicycle Pathway Along the EBMUD Aqueduct Right of Way" study, which focused on the portion of the ROW within downtown Lafayette, from Risa Road to Brown Avenue. As part of the preparation of this study, the project team partnered with EBMUD, BART, Caltrans, East Bay Regional Park District, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and other key stakeholders to consider conceptual design alternatives related to EBMUD requirements, evaluate pathway suitability and alignment options, identify and evaluate street crossing methods, facilitate conversations to ensure consensus building, and prepare planning-level cost estimates.
The Final Report (February 2012) of the Feasibility and Options Study for a Pedestrian and Bicycle Pathway Along the EBMUD Aqueduct Right of Way in Lafayette can be accessed via the links below:
Preliminary Pages and Table of Contents
3. Policy Context and Design Standards
4. Existing Conditions, Opportunities and Constraints
5. Options Evaluation and Preferred Options
6. Funding and Maintenance Strategy and Benefit-Cost Analysis
7. Phasing Plan and Next Steps
Appendices:
C. Roadway Improvement Measures
E. Consolidated Comments on the Public Review Draft of the Study