Hayward's Streets Are Getting a Major Makeover — Here's What Residents Need to Know
If you've ever felt unsafe walking along Tennyson Road, cycling downtown, or crossing Mission Boulevard, the City of Hayward has heard you — and it's doing something about it.
Safe Streets, Hayward's federally funded street safety initiative launched in 2025, is one of the most significant infrastructure projects the city has undertaken in years. Whether you drive, bike, walk, or take the bus, this program directly affects how you move through your neighborhood every day.
What Is the Safe Streets Initiative?
Safe Streets is a City of Hayward program designed to redesign the streets with the highest rates of serious injury and fatal collisions. The goal, rooted in the city's Vision Zero policy, is bold: reduce traffic fatalities and severe injuries in Hayward to zero by 2050.
The initiative focuses on Hayward's High Injury Network — a striking statistic: 75% of all serious injuries and fatalities in Hayward occur on just 14% of its roadways. That concentration makes targeted redesigns far more effective than scattered improvements citywide.
The program is funded through a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant, part of a $5 billion national program established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Which Streets Are Being Redesigned?
The project is rolling out in two phases:
Phase 1 (Underway Now)
- A Street
- B Street
- Tennyson Road
- The Downtown Loop (Foothill Boulevard, A Street, Mission Boulevard)
Phase 2 (Starting Early 2026)
- Mission Boulevard
- Hesperian Boulevard
- Jackson Street
The Safe Streets Downtown project specifically targets the Hayward Loop to make it safer and more welcoming for pedestrians, cyclists, and shoppers.
How Can Hayward Residents Get Involved?
This is not a top-down plan. The City is actively seeking community input to shape the final designs. You can participate by:
- Visiting the Safe Streets Downtown project website to review designs and submit feedback
- Attending community outreach events where the project team is present
- Emailing project manager Byron Tang at byron.tang@hayward-ca.gov
- Using the interactive map to flag specific locations where you feel unsafe
What Could Change on Your Street?
Safe Streets projects typically involve:
- Protected bike lanes separated from vehicle traffic
- Improved crosswalks with better signage and lighting
- Traffic calming measures like reduced lane widths or speed tables
- Better pedestrian access at intersections and bus stops
- New wayfinding signage for downtown visitors
Why This Matters for Hayward Families
Traffic safety is not an abstract policy issue. Hayward's Vision Zero commitment means every preventable death or serious injury on its streets is treated as unacceptable — and the city is building a funded plan to eliminate them.
The Safe Streets initiative planning phase runs through June 2026, with construction funding grants to follow as conceptual plans are finalized.
Stay informed, attend community events, and make your voice heard. These are your streets.
Sources: City of Hayward Safe Streets Initiative (hayward-ca.gov); U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program; City of Hayward Vision Zero Local Road Safety Plan.