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CalTrans officials have given the green light to plans by Berkeley school officials to include a San Pablo Avenue driveway in their plans for the controversial Franklin Adult School. 

City transportation officials and neighbors had insisted the driveway was essential to keep adult school students from clogging residential streets around the school, bounded by San Pablo to the west, Curtis Street to the east, Francisco Street to the south and Virginia Street to the west. 

The Caltrans decision—announced Friday—also paves the way for the district to implement changes to the original site plan that calls for reorienting the former elementary school towards San Pablo with the driveway and a pedestrian walkway. Because San Pablo is a state highway, Caltrans has final authority over new driveways. 

“I’m thankful that so many people worked hard to get this accomplished,” said BUSD Superintendent Michele Lawrence. 

Neighbors who have fought the proposed adult school said that while they’re pleased by the inclusion of the driveway, they are still not sold on the overall plan. 

“Obviously it’s going to help, but it’s still unclear even with this that the school can really fit in the neighborhood,” said James Day, a neighbor who is serving on site committee comprised of neighbors and district officials. 

Caltrans had rejected an earlier appeal from the district, citing that the district’s application lacked adequate transit studies.