Local voters passed three important measures endorsed by Bike East Bay this election: Measure RR to fix BART, Measure KK to rebuild Oakland’s streets and Measure C1 to maintain critical AC Transit bus services. We’re also pleased to share that four local cities approved increased funding for streets, including Measure P1 to rebuild sidewalks in Albany; Measure T1 to fix streets and parks in Berkeley, Measure K to upgrade facilities in Pleasant Hill, and Measure D to improve roads in Martinez. By passing Measures RR, C1, KK, and the four local city measures, voters overwhelmingly chose to invest almost $5 billion to improve an aging transportation system in the East Bay.
We lost on Measure X, which could have brought much-needed bike and public transportation improvements in Contra Costa County. Many volunteers from Bike East Bay, Rich City Rides, Bike Concord, and more partner organizations campaigned hard for Measure X, but it fell short of the two-thirds voter support it needed to pass, garnering 62.5% support. We give a big thanks to our Measure X volunteers who put a lot of heart and months of work into the campaign. Your efforts will pay off in the future through stronger working relationships with city staff across Contra Costa County. And the policies of the 2016 Transportation Expenditure Plan that Measure X would have funded are still approved and official.
Keep in mind that passing funding measures is a bit more difficult in Contra Costa County. Measure X’s support compares well to other ballot measures voted on in Contra Costa, including its higher support than Measure RR in Contra Costa (62.5% vs 60%), and its comparable support to El Cerrito’s new library Measure B and Pleasant Hill’s streets Measure K. Don’t be surprised if a revised transportation plan for Measure X returns to the ballot box in 2020.
Thank you and a big hug to all our campaign volunteers who stepped up this election season.
Election Results on Local Measures for Streets and Transportation
Measure RR got 70% support [Passes]
Measure RR will repair BART’s aging infrastructure. This $3.5 billion bond, funded by property taxes, will fix tracks, train control systems, power grid, tunnels, stations and maintenance facilities. BART has also developed a new bike access plan to build modern bike facilities into and out of BART Station areas, to get you safely and comfortably on your way from the fare gates and station bike parking on to local bikeways. The BART bond along with additional BART funding will build these improvements to improve your commute.
Measure C1 got 80% support [Passes]
Measure C1 will renew a parcel tax to keep AC Transit affordable and reliable — especially for youth, seniors, and low-income riders. AC Transit’s local and TransBay bus services are an important part of keeping the region out of gridlock, and ensuring that everyone can get where they need to go – regardless of age, income, or ability. This measure will generate $30 million per year for AC Transit maintenance and operations.
Measure KK Oakland gets 82% support [Passes]
Measure KK will repave streets in Oakland, preserve existing affordable housing, and repair aging facilities. This measure is expected to raise $600 million through a property tax, with $350 million going to fix streets and install bike friendly infrastructure. This is a huge investment in better streets for walking and bicycling in Oakland.
Albany Measure P1 for sidewalks got 78% support [Passes]
Measure P1 will encourage more people to walk in Albany by dedicating funds to maintain sidewalks and street lighting. Although the city currently has a property tax to fund maintenance of road pavement, but there is not funding dedicated to maintaining sidewalks. The Albany City Council unanimously placed Measure P1 on the ballot in response to seven years of advocacy by Albany Strollers & Rollers.
Measure X got 62.5% support [Falls short]
Measure X would have tripled funding for bike projects and upgrade Contra Costa’s transportation infrastructure. In particular, the plan would have invested in biking, walking and public transportation, including $115 million for bicycle and pedestrian projects. Despite Measure X not passing, its Transportation Expenditure Plan is still an adopted document for the Contra Costa County.
Pleasant Hill’s Measure K received 66%[Passes]
Measure K will raise a one-half cent sales tax to build roads, storm drains, library, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and other city services. This measure will raise approximately $4 million per year.
Berkeley Measure T1 for Streets, Parks, Facilities got 86% support [Passes]
Measure T1 will authorize $100 million of general obligation bonds improve streets, sidewalks, and parks, and other infrastructure-related projects. As Berkeley continues to grow, as does the demand for better bicycling and walking infrastructure.
Martinez Measure D for Streets got 72% support [Passes]
Measure D will raise funds dedicated to improving and repairing roads in Martinez. These funds are needed because the city has among the worst streets in the county, ranking next to last in the Paving Condition Index. This half-cent sales tax is estimated to raise $2.1 million annually for street repair.
Lafayette: Measure C for Streets only got 48% [Falls short]
Measure C would have levied a 1% sales tax in the city of Lafayette to fund general city services. Lafayette City Council has identified the following projects as City priorities: protecting open space from development, reducing downtown congestion, enhancing police protection, improving downtown parking, acquiring land for downtown parks, and revitalizing the historic Park Theater.