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To: district1@acgov.org, Thomas_W._Azumbrado@hud.gov, dave.cortese@bos.sccgov.org, dgiacopini@mtc.ca.gov, ahalsted@aol.com, bijan_sartipi@dot.ca.gov
Subject: JAN 27: Please Vote to Fund the West Span Pathway!
Dear Alameda County BATA Representative Scott Haggerty:
(CC: Tom Azumbrado, Dave Cortese, Dorene M. Giacopini, Anne Halsted, Bijan Sartipi)
On January 27, please vote to entirely fund the West Span Bicycle-Pedestrian-Maintenance Path from existing or proposed tolls. Without a commitment to the project, the East Span Pathway will be a "bridge to nowhere."
A modified congestion pricing option on the Bay Bridge will cover the cost of the West Span improvements within a few years and help reduce traffic congestion. The Caltrans feasibility study in 2001 estimated the preferred option at $160 million. Although costs could be expected to have escalated, we note that many recent bids have come in over 40% below engineers' estimates. Furthermore, the current congestion pricing proposal would discount our most heavily congested bridge and promote congestion during off-peak hours.
The West Span improvements offer safety, maintenance, and health benefits; emissions reductions; neighborhood development on Treasure Island; and tourist visits. As a refuge for motorists and a clear route for emergency response, this path will save lives every year. The West Span will soon be the only transbay bridge with no safety shoulder. Likewise, by obviating costly daily lane closures for maintenance on the upper deck, dangers to workers and the public are avoided, while reducing interruptions and costs to keep the bridge safe and operable.
The path doubles the effective capacity of the bridge and provides a relief valve in the event of a disruption of BART or other transbay modes. Over one million bicyclists live within easy reach of the path, giving them their most reliable option for crossing our most essential regional corridor, day and night.
The Bay Area needs bicycling now more than ever. An average cyclist can comfortably cross the Bay Bridge in under 20 minutes, making it an attractive, healthy, carbon-free commute option. Likewise, as on the Golden Gate Bridge, tourists and residents alike will cherish the recreational opportunity to see beautiful skylines and waterfront views by means of their own two feet.
BATA's own survey exhibited that an unprecedented 37% of the respondents wrote-in to support completion of the path that will soon be completed, thanks to your commitment. Your action is needed now to stay on schedule or we risk holding the ribbon cutting dangling over bay waters. Please act to ensure the world-class path on the East Span is met with uninterrupted progress on the West Span path. We all eagerly await the West Span Project Study Report you approved in April 2009, but your renewed commitment is needed now to carry out the environmental review and design-selection process needed for a construction schedule to be at hand during the anticipated East Span dedication ceremony.
More information, including the resolution of support that is being approved by cities and organizations, is available at http://ebbc.org/baybridge/
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Organization
123 Your St.
Yousville, YO 12345
Phone: (123)456-7890
Fax: (123)456-7890x123
p.s.
Your Personal Statement
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To: district1@acgov.org, Thomas_W._Azumbrado@hud.gov, dave.cortese@bos.sccgov.org, dgiacopini@mtc.ca.gov, ahalsted@aol.com, bijan_sartipi@dot.ca.gov
Subject: JAN 27: Please Vote to Fund the West Span Pathway!
Dear Alameda County BATA Representative Scott Haggerty:
(CC: Tom Azumbrado, Dave Cortese, Dorene M. Giacopini, Anne Halsted, Bijan Sartipi)
On January 27, please vote to entirely fund the West Span Bicycle-Pedestrian-Maintenance Path from existing or proposed tolls. Without a commitment to the project, the East Span Pathway will be a "bridge to nowhere."
A modified congestion pricing option on the Bay Bridge will cover the cost of the West Span improvements within a few years and help reduce traffic congestion. The Caltrans feasibility study in 2001 estimated the preferred option at $160 million. Although costs could be expected to have escalated, we note that many recent bids have come in over 40% below engineers' estimates. Furthermore, the current congestion pricing proposal would discount our most heavily congested bridge and promote congestion during off-peak hours.
The West Span improvements offer safety, maintenance, and health benefits; emissions reductions; neighborhood development on Treasure Island; and tourist visits. As a refuge for motorists and a clear route for emergency response, this path will save lives every year. The West Span will soon be the only transbay bridge with no safety shoulder. Likewise, by obviating costly daily lane closures for maintenance on the upper deck, dangers to workers and the public are avoided, while reducing interruptions and costs to keep the bridge safe and operable.
The path doubles the effective capacity of the bridge and provides a relief valve in the event of a disruption of BART or other transbay modes. Over one million bicyclists live within easy reach of the path, giving them their most reliable option for crossing our most essential regional corridor, day and night.
The Bay Area needs bicycling now more than ever. An average cyclist can comfortably cross the Bay Bridge in under 20 minutes, making it an attractive, healthy, carbon-free commute option. Likewise, as on the Golden Gate Bridge, tourists and residents alike will cherish the recreational opportunity to see beautiful skylines and waterfront views by means of their own two feet.
BATA's own survey exhibited that an unprecedented 37% of the respondents wrote-in to support completion of the path that will soon be completed, thanks to your commitment. Your action is needed now to stay on schedule or we risk holding the ribbon cutting dangling over bay waters. Please act to ensure the world-class path on the East Span is met with uninterrupted progress on the West Span path. We all eagerly await the West Span Project Study Report you approved in April 2009, but your renewed commitment is needed now to carry out the environmental review and design-selection process needed for a construction schedule to be at hand during the anticipated East Span dedication ceremony.
More information, including the resolution of support that is being approved by cities and organizations, is available at http://ebbc.org/baybridge/
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Organization
123 Your St.
Yousville, YO 12345
Phone: (123)456-7890
Fax: (123)456-7890x123
p.s.
Your Personal Statement
--
Delivered by CitizenSpeak!
Report abuse to abuse@citizenspeak.org [1870]
