An unusually large group filled the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) meeting room on February 11, 2009 as a subcommittee reviewed proposals for the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA). “Like manna from heaven,” the federal funds will both fund short term “shovel ready” projects on local streets and roads (see graph) and longer term “strategic investments” in transportation.
With calls to many East Bay public works departments over the past weeks, EBBC has promoted that local jurisdictions prioritize repaving local streets & roads (LS&R) that are on the Regional Bicycle Plan or countywide bicycle plans. This nexus represents a cost-effective way to quickly allocate funds as the Obama administration intends and deliver adopted bicycle plan projects. We further reminded the MTC about their own Routine Accommodation policy. Who can argue about riding on smooth pavement?
The MTC’s proposals for “strategic investments,” however, are much more contentious. EBBC would like to see funds allocated to transit shortfalls that are certain to reach crisis stage as the State budget cuts the State Transit Account to just 28-cents on the dollar. State Senator Loni Hancock reports that the cuts may be worse–to nearly zero! Lifeline transportation funds will disappear.
The issue is where to take funds from the MTC’s stimulus proposal. To begin, incredibly costly lane additions to freeways and routes like Vasco Road, are going unquestioned. Sacred cows led by the Caldecott Fourth Bore ($175 million) and a number of freeway HOT lane proposals are certain to make the Bay Area increasingly dependant on driving while transit agencies remain on life support. Stay tuned!