MTC Programming and Allocations Committee Hearing: Regional Measure 2

From MTC:

In March 2004, Bay Area voters approved Regional Measure 2 (RM2), a $1 bridge toll increase on seven of the state-owned bridges in the Bay Area, creating approximately $115 million annually in new funding for a list of projects to reduce traffic congestion in the region. Pursuant to Section 30914(f) of the California Streets and Highways Code, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is to consult with the project sponsor and hold a public hearing in advance of consideration of any request to reassign Regional Measure 2 (RM2) funds to another project, if a project has cost savings after completion, taking into account construction costs and future settlement claims. MTC proposes to redirect savings in RM2 funds from the I-80 Eastbound High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane project in Contra Costa County to two new projects in the same bridge corridor: the Regional Express Lane Network project, and major interchange modifications in the vicinity of I-80 and San Pablo Dam Road in Contra Costa County. At its regularly scheduled April 10, 2013 meeting, MTC’s Programming and Allocations Committee will hold a public hearing and review the public comments received on the proposed RM2 funding changes listed below (and further described in proposed MTC Resolution No. 3801, Revised) and will refer recommendations to the MTC Commission for final action. The MTC Commission will consider the proposed RM2 fund programming changes at the Commission’s April 24, 2013 meeting.

Bay Area residents are invited to comment on the following funding changes in RM2.

• RM2 Project #8: I-80 Eastbound HOV Lane Project in Contra Costa CountyProposed Action: Reassign $12,825,455.43 in RM2 funds from this project to the proposed projects #38 and #39 listed below.
• RM2 Project #38: Regional Express Lane NetworkProposed Action: Add this new project and assign it $4,825,455.43 in RM2 funds for Express Lanes development in the I-80 bridge corridor, from the I-80 Eastbound HOV project, as noted above.
• RM2 Project #39: Major Interchange Modifications in the Vicinity of I-80 and San Pablo Dam Road in Contra Costa CountyProposed Action: Add this new project and assign it $8,000,000 in RM2 funds for investments in the I-80 bridge corridor, from the I-80 Eastbound HOV project, as noted above.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) completed RM2 Project #8 (I-80 EB HOV Lane project) in 2011 and closed out all remaining contracts in 2012. Of the $50 million available to RM2 Project #8, Caltrans spent approximately $37.2 million, realizing a savings of approximately $12.8 million available for re-programming. MTC, in consultation with Caltrans, proposes to program these savings to two new projects: RM2 Project #38 (Regional Express Lane Network) and RM2 Project #39 (Major Interchange Modifications in the Vicinity of I-80 and San Pablo Dam Road in Contra Costa County).

RM2 Project #38 would be for the development of the Regional Express Lane Network. For the purposes of this proposed $4.8 million in funding, priority will be given to operational, engineering, environmental or other studies, and preliminary engineering associated with converting the existing eastbound and westbound High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes on Interstate 80 in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to Express Lanes. The I-80 Express Lane is part of the Regional Express Lane Network (“Network”) found eligible for development and operation by the California Transportation Commission in October 2011. MTC plans to delegate development and operation of the Network to the Bay Area Infrastructure Financing Authority (BAIFA).

RM2 Project #39 would reduce congestion and improve traffic safety in Contra Costa County along I-80 and at nearby connecting interchanges. Among the proposed improvements that the $8 million in RM2 could fund are: replacing and widening the San Pablo Dam Road Overcrossing; relocating access to McBryde Avenue from westbound I-80; relocating access to westbound I-80 from El Portal Drive; extending the auxiliary lane along westbound I-80 between El Portal Drive on-ramp and San Pablo Dam Road off-ramp; realigning Amador Street to intersect with San Pablo Dam Road further east; and replacing the I-80/Riverside Avenue Pedestrian Overcrossing serving Riverside Elementary School and extending it across Amador Street.
A public hearing to receive public testimony on these proposed funding changes will be held during MTC’s Programming and Allocations Committee meeting on:

Wednesday, April 10, 2013, at 9:40 a.m.
(or immediately following the Administration Committee meeting, whichever occurs later)
Joseph P. Bort MetroCenter Auditorium
101 Eighth Street, Oakland
(across from the Lake Merritt BART Station)

Written comments may be submitted to MTC’s Public Information Office at 101 Eighth St., Oakland, CA 94607; faxed to MTC at 510-817-5848; or sent via e-mail to . Written comments must be received by MTC no later than 4 p.m. on April 12, 2013. Oral comments will be received at the public hearing on April 10, 2013. The comment period will close at 4 p.m. on April 12, 2013.

Copies of proposed MTC Resolution 3801, Revised will be available for public review beginning on March 11, 2013 at the MTC-ABAG Library, located at 101 Eighth Street in Oakland, California. The proposed resolution also can be viewed on MTC’s Web site at , or you may request a copy from the MTC Library by e-mail at , or by telephone at 510-817-5836. For more information, contact the MTC Public Information Office at 510-817-5757.