Press Releases

For Immediate Release

Marin and Sonoma County Residents' Chance to Comment on Proposed 25-Year Transportation Plan

CONTACT:

Ellen Griffin
510.817.5854

Doug Kimsey
510.817.5790

OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 5, 2001...North Bay residents can weigh in on local and regional transportation issues at a workshop slated for Tuesday, Sept. 11, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Petaluma Community Center, Club Room, 320 N. McDowell Blvd. in Petaluma. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is hosting the meeting to hear from the public on a draft transportation plan to invest billions of dollars in anticipated federal, state and local transportation funds over the next 25 years.

While focused on transportation, the draft plan also spotlights the nine-county Bay Area's projected population and job growth, where people will live, the region's aging trend, and the impact of commuters from outlying counties on Bay Area roads and transit.

According to MTC Vice Chair and Marin County Supervisor Steve Kinsey, "The Regional Transportation Plan is a great opportunity for us to look ahead and develop solutions to our traffic problems before they get worse."

MTC Commissioner and Petaluma City Councilmember Pamela Torliatt added, "This plan outlines what projects will be built for 25 years into the future. Now is the time to hear ideas from Marin and Sonoma county residents."

Of the total $82 billion that MTC anticipates will come to the Bay Area for transportation, 90 percent ($74 billion) is already committed to maintaining the existing transportation infrastructure or to new or expansion projects approved by local voters. The $82 billion includes maintaining or rehabilitating 18,000 miles of local streets and roads and the cost of operating the region's public transit systems.

MTC proposes splitting the remaining $7.7 billion, with approximately half going to road and transit projects recommended by county congestion management agencies and half reserved for regional programs and services designed to benefit all Bay Area travelers, regardless of their home county.

Among the projects proposed for Sonoma County are U.S. 101 high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes and interchange improvements between Petaluma and Windsor, and Northwestern Pacific track improvements and other upgrades. Marin County projects include U.S. 101 HOV lane gap closures in San Rafael, local bus service enhancements, and Interstate-580/U.S. 101 interchange improvements.

MTC and local transportation agencies are still identifying other high-profile transit projects that could be included in the plan, such as a BART-to-San Jose extension, a people-mover connection to the Oakland International Airport, a light-rail connection to San Francisco's Chinatown, and various express and urban rapid bus services.

Among the regional services MTC proposes for funding are: TransLink®, a transit-fare "smart card" for use on all Bay Area transit systems; the Freeway Service Patrol that assists motorists in distress on the region's freeways; rideshare programs that set up carpool/vanpool ride matches; a traveler information service — the regionwide telephone number (817-1717) — to provide up-to-the-minute traffic information and connect to transit agencies; and the Transportation for Livable Communities program, which provides grants for small-scale transportation projects to enhance community vitality.

The draft plan goes beyond the $82 billion of identified funding and envisions what could be accomplished if more money becomes available. One potential new source of funding is a transportation financing measure (ACA 4) approved by the California Legislature that may go on the statewide ballot for voter approval in spring 2002.

MTC developed the draft transportation plan, in part, based on thousands of comments the agency received from Bay Area residents during an extensive public outreach effort last spring. The Petaluma event is one of eight scheduled meetings throughout the Bay Area in September to obtain public comments on the newly released Draft 2001 Regional Transportation Plan. In addition to attending and speaking at MTC meetings, the public can comment on the plan by mail (MTC Public Information, 101 Eighth Street, Oakland, CA 94607), by e-mail (info@mtc.ca.gov) or by fax (510.817.5848). An interactive comment form is posted on the MTC Web site. Copies of the 182-page Draft 2001 Regional Transportation Plan are available in public libraries and by mail upon request to the MTC/ABAG Library (call 510.817.5836). A 12-page overview of the plan also is available from MTC. The plan also can be viewed and downloaded on the MTC Web site: <www.mtc.ca.gov >.

MTC is the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area's transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency.

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