The Dumbarton Transportation Corridor Study was published this week. It identifies strategies, including a rail crossing, to reduce congestion and improve mobility between Alameda, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties. I believe that this rail crossing is a key component to addressing our traffic crisis. It can and should be built.
Others are joining me, our momentum is growing! What are your hopes for the Corridor? Talk to me--650-363-4570 or tweet me @warrenslocum!
In the meantime, check out my interview about the project on KPIX here:http://ow.ly/VpXP30eqzgT
And, the press release that I wrote after the study was published is below:
San Mateo County Supervisor Warren Slocum Hails Release of Full Dumbarton Corridor Study
Redwood City — San Mateo County Supervisor Warren Slocum today commended the release of the Dumbarton Transportation Corridor Study published on Tuesday which identifies strategies including a rail crossing to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility between Alameda, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
“I want to thank all of those at SamTrans who worked on this thorough report and Facebook for the leadership they showed in funding the study,” said Slocum, a leading advocate for Dumbarton Corridor Highway Improvements and Rail Service who represents San Mateo County on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. “The three- phase approach put forward by SamTrans provides us the opportunity to have both short and long-term results. By working with SamTrans and Metropolitan Transportation Commission, it is my hope we can expedite the improvements to the approaches to the Bridge and the toll lane modifications before 2020. Express bus service and Express Lanes along the corridor will produce 21,300 new transit riders a 147 percent increase over where we are today.”
The next phase would be re-building the rail bridge for rail service on the Corridor, with the remaining portion of the Corridor on the Peninsula accommodating both bus and rail. This would add 34,700 daily transit riders by 2040. The rail bridge would be the first trans-bay rail crossing since the BART tube opened in 1974.
“This project is an opportunity to fundamentally re-think our approach in the Bay Area,” said Slocum. “Jobs on the Peninsula are being created at a rapid rate, but our transportation system and housing construction are woefully behind. Our growing challenges in transportation and housing affordability require us to find ways to move people efficiently to and from the East Bay and beyond. This includes moving people from areas like Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto into the heart of Silicon Valley in a timely fashion.
“Imagine if we were able to move people from Stockton to jobs in Silicon Valley in an hour. This would not only address our transportation needs but also supplement our accessible stock of affordable housing. When we start thinking in these terms, the Dumbarton Rail is the missing link to a myriad of new possibilities. The true long-term potential of the project will be realized in the final phase, when the new Dumbarton Rail service interconnects with Capitol Corridor and ACE rail in the East Bay along with BART. According to the SamTrans study, this leads to an additional 23,300 transbay riders. I look forward to working with leaders of these systems to develop a vison for maximizing ridership.”
Slocum also sees the project as a great opportunity to create a model public/private partnership. He contends that funding will need to be assembled from several sources including Regional Measure 3 (proposed bridge toll increase); SB1 (the new statewide funding passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor earlier this year); San Mateo County’s potential sales tax measure next year; and private sector contributions and federal funding.
“Now, we really have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make this project a reality,” said Slocum, who represents the 4th District in San Mateo County and the cities that will be most impacted by the project. “As important as this project is to the region, I will also be focusing on everything possible to make a positive impact on the residents of the 4th District. Any project of this size and scope will affect people who live along the rail corridor. It is my responsibility to give people a chance to hear about the project and to make their voices heard in these early stages of planning. There are several public meetings this month and next. I encourage people to join the conversation. Attend a meeting, provide your input, share your concerns and contact my office if you have any questions.”
PUBLIC MEETINGS:DUMBARTON CORRIDOR HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND RAIL STUDY
Wednesday, August 16, 6:30 p.m.
East Palo Alto Library/City Hall Community Room
2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto
Thursday, August 17, 7:00 p.m.
County of San Mateo Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
San Mateo City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue, San Mateo
Thursday, August 24, 7:00 p.m.
North Fair Oaks Community Council
Fair Oaks Community Center
2600 Middlefield Road, Redwood City
Tuesday, August 22, 7:00 p.m.
Menlo Park City Council
Menlo Park City Hall
701 Laurel Street, Menlo Park
Tuesday, September 12, 6:00 p.m.
Redwood City Complete Streets Advisory Committee
Redwood City Hall
1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City
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