This week, the SamTrans Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt the Final Dumbarton Transportation Corridor Study. This vote represents a major step forward for the Bay Area to tackle the region’s serious and growing traffic issue. The approval of the Study signals that local leaders and private companies alike are serious about creating mobility alternatives along the Dumbarton Corridor between Alameda County, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
The discussion at the Board meeting was robust and featured public comment from a diverse group of local community stakeholders. The public in attendance were overwhelmingly in favor of approval of the Study, and were very supportive of including a bicycle/pedestrian multi-use path in the Dumbarton rail right-of-way from Redwood City to East Palo Alto.
Due to such strong support from the public, the Board voted to add language to the resolution approving the Study, stating that the Board was committed to exploring the feasibility and potential safety risks of bicycle/pedestrian facilities in the Dumbarton rail right-of-way.
I have been a leading advocate for the Dumbarton Transportation Corridor, working with SamTrans, the owners of the rail bridge, and others to urge investment in this once-in-a-generation project. The vote taken by the SamTrans Board of Director to approve the Study is step in the right direction. It is my hope that we seize on this momentum and continue to make progress in making the Dumbarton Transportation Corridor a reality.