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Telegraph Avenue and Haste Street in Berkeley were both opened to vehicle and pedestrian traffic today, less than three weeks after a raging fire forced the demolition of a 39-unit apartment building at the intersection. 

Pedestrians can now use the sidewalks on the east and south sides of the Telegraph-Haste intersection to travel throughout the Telegraph business area. Vehicles can also return to normal northbound travel on Telegraph and westbound travel on Haste. 

The sidewalk and traffic lane immediately adjacent to the former mixed-use building will remain closed while debris is removed and the Telegraph-facing storefront is stabilized (the revised traffic plan is here). 

“We know that the fire and the closure of this intersection came at terrible time for Telegraph merchants,” said Economic Development Director Michael Caplan. “City staff and the property owner worked quickly and cooperatively to make the building safe and re-open the intersection. We encourage everyone to include Telegraph Avenue’s many unique stores in their holiday shopping plans.” 

The Telegraph Holiday Street Fair is also still scheduled for December 16, 17, 18, 22, and 24 from 11 am to 6 p.m. More than 200 artisans come every year to sell their handcrafted items on the Avenue. Shoppers are urged to use the Telegraph/Channing Garage, which has easy access from Channing Way and Durant Avenue. 

Fortunately, no one was reported injured in the fire, which occurred on Friday, November 18. More information about the fire and traffic is available on www.cityofberkeley.info.