The Port of Oakland and Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) announced today that a major infrastructure project, the Airport Perimeter Dike Improvement Project, is nearing completion, designed to protect the airfield from sea level rise and flooding caused by catastrophic earthquakes. With an estimated cost of $80 million, the project, which began in 2020, is expected to conclude on schedule this September.
The project, one of the Bay Area waterfront’s largest public infrastructure initiatives addressing climate change and seismic threats, involves a 4.5-mile dike between Alameda and San Leandro. Phase 1, completed in 2022 at a cost of approximately $30 million, raised the dike's height beyond FEMA standards, adding an extra foot of elevation to provide 30–35 years of protection against sea level rise and storm surge.
Phase 2, currently in its final segment along runway 12-30, focuses on seismic resiliency. This phase, costing an estimated $52.7 million and largely funded by the Federal Aviation Administration, utilizes Cement Deep Soil Mixing (CDSM) to stabilize the ground beneath a 5,000-foot section of the dike. This advanced technique reduces the risk of settlement and liquefaction during an earthquake, with completion anticipated in September 2026.
Kristi McKenney, Executive Director at the Port of Oakland, said, “As we build for future generations, the Airport Perimeter Dike Project reflects our commitment to resilient infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and economic vitality.” Emilia Sánchez, Director of Engineering at the Port of Oakland, added, “Given the Bay Area’s high seismic exposure and the airport’s location on soils prone to liquefaction, this work is essential to maintaining operational integrity following a major seismic event.”
This investment ensures OAK's vital role in regional emergency response and economic continuity, safeguarding operations for disaster response, cargo movement, and supply chain stability for generations to come.