Rising Waters, Stronger Defenses: Inside Oakland Airport’s Dike Improvement Project

The Port of Oakland's Airport Perimeter Dike Improvement Project is one of the Bay Area waterfront’s largest public infrastructure projects that directly addresses future climate change and threats from seismic activity. The dike runs approximately 4.5 miles between Alameda and San Leandro and has protected Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) from flooding and tidal inundation since its original construction in the 1950s. Built primarily of sand, gravel, and clay, the dike safeguards the airfield, which is situated on low-lying reclaimed bay land. At an estimated cost of $80 million, the Airport Perimeter Dike Improvement Project has undergone two major phased improvements since 2020 and is expected to complete on schedule this September. In simple terms, Phase 1 of the project raised the height of the dike and Phase 2 strengthened the ground itself. OAK plays a vital role in regional emergency response and economic continuity. Ensuring the airport remains operational after major events is essential for emergency and disaster response operations, cargo movement and supply chain continuity, and regional recovery efforts. Together, the two phases of the Airport Perimeter Dike Project represent a forward-looking investment in regional resilience, safety, and sustainability.