Published in the Ang Tri-Valley Herald
Article last updated:
Thursday, April 12, 2001 2:43 AM MST
Valley residents sound off on transit
Workshops invite public opinion
By Craig Kapitan
STAFF WRITER
PLEASANTON -- Area transportation agencies are trying to decide how to
spend approximately $13 billion in uncommitted federal and state funds
over the next 25 years, and they're asking the public for input.
A transportation workshop was held Tuesday night at the Pleasanton
Library to encourage such input.
"Our idea in doing this was to make you feel like a supervisor or
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (member)," workshop organizer
Louis Hexter told area residents. "We want input on what you think
will be the biggest bang for your buck."
The event, which will also be held in three other Alameda County
cities throughout April, is sponsored by the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission and the Alameda County Congestion Management
Agency.
The two agencies are currently in the process of putting together the
Regional Transportation Plan and the Countywide Transportation Plan.
The plans help determine what projects will have funding priority over
the next 25 years.
In order to assign such priorities, some tough decisions will have to
be made.
"The Bay Area's transportation needs are growing much faster than
sources of revenue," explained a cardboard display at the meeting. "We
face a potential $30 billion gap between identified needs and
available resources over the next 25 years."
When asked to rank their biggest challenges in getting around,
attendees most marked "too much congestion on freeways" and "transit
does not go where I need to go." Those complaints were followed by
"It's too hard/dangerous to get around on a bike."
The group also largely supported the possibility of a 10 cents per
gallon regional gas tax and an additional $1 bridge toll.
Many attendees also backed the idea that the plans focus on ways to
shift more containerized cargo -- often hauled by trucks over the
freeways -- to rail service instead.
"When there's a truck wreck at least twice a week on the highway that
stops up traffic, there's not a lot of sympathy for trucks," Dublin
councilman George Zika explained.
In addition to the brainstorming session for the transportation
agencies, the meetings also serve as a rallying point for area
projects, explained Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty.
"One of the most important jobs I have as a supervisor is
transportation," he said. "We have the most to gain or we have the
most to lose. It comes down to how much we want to participate in the
project."
Bicycling supporter Dave Campbell said he was impressed with the
workshop. Usually when he attends transportation meetings to represent
the views of Valley cyclists, the turnout seems to be much lower.
"Both (agencies) are making unprecedented efforts to involve the
public," he said.
Similar workshops will take place in Hayward tonight, Oakland on April
24 and Union City on April 25. For more information , call (510)
836-2560.
or email mail@accma.ca.gov.
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