Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Contra Costa Regional Medical Center earns “A” for safety from national evaluator

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Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (CCRMC) has earned an A grade for hospital safety from the Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit evaluator of healthcare services.

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade evaluates nearly 3,000 general acute-care hospitals across the U.S. for occurrence of preventable safety problems such as surgery-related infections or complications, observed safety incidents, and the presence of staff training and procedures to prevent errors in care.

The latest grades, released Wednesday, show that CCRMC, which is part of Contra Costa Health (CCH), provides its patients with some of the safest, highest-quality healthcare in the nation.

“Our county’s commitment to health and equity for all underscores our belief that our county’s most vulnerable and lowest-income residents deserve the highest quality medical care,” said John Gioia, chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. “We are proud that Contra Costa’s full-service community hospital has been recognized for the excellence and quality of its care.”

Leapfrog assesses several dimensions of patient safety including medication safety, complex surgeries for pediatric and adult patients, maternity care, intensive care unit staffing, patient safety practices, managing serious errors and outpatient procedures.

“It really comes down to our staff. It’s an honor to work with so many dedicated, talented health professionals, all of them focused on delivering the best possible care for our patients,” CCH Chief Executive Officer Anna Roth said. “Their daily efforts are reflected in this grade.”

CCRMC is a full-service, 164-bed county hospital that offers patient-centered healthcare services in a modern hospital, including a 24-hour emergency department, and 10 satellite health centers providing high-quality care throughout the county.

CCRMC has been recognized in recent years for many efforts to improve health in Contra Costa County, including the California Association of Public Hospitals, Cal Hospital Compare and the Lown Institute. In 2020, Leapfrog and Newsweek rated CCRMC among the nation’s top hospitals for maternity care.

“We are proud and grateful to be recognized by Leapfrog for patient safety, because safety is our top concern,” said Dr. Samir B Shah, Chief Executive Officer of CCRMC. “Developing, teaching and following best practices improves outcomes, prevents mistakes and improves our patient’s experience. Our clinical system emphasizes a culture of safety where every staff member knows the importance of their contribution in risk reduction at CCRMC. It’s part of our mission, to care for and improve the health of all Contra Costa residents.”

Read the Spring 2023 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for CCRMC here. 

 

Soil sampling conducted around Martinez refinery to assess health risks from “Spent Catalyst” release

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Proposed samples and refinery locations map. Source: CC Health

Martinez Refining Company area map. Source: Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

A toxicologist hired by the County this week began collecting samples of soil that may have been exposed to metal-laden “spent catalyst” released by the Martinez Refining Company (MRC) into the surrounding community last Thanksgiving. (See related articles here, here and here)

Soil samples are being taken from more than a dozen sites, primarily areas neighboring the refinery in Martinez and Benicia. Collected samples will be sent to a lab to analyze for concentrations of metals associated with the catalyst that may pose risks to human health through skin contact, inhalation or from consuming produce grown in the contaminated soil. Lab results of the soil samples are expected in late May or early June.

“We know the community is eager to find out what’s in the soil in their yards and whether they should be concerned for their health,” said Supervisor Federal Glover, whose district includes the refinery, which is owned by PBF Energy Inc. “The soil testing will help provide residents with answers to those questions.”

The sampling plan was based in part on a plume model map created by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District that showed where the spent-catalyst dust likely traveled. The plan was reviewed and approved by the MRC Oversight Committee, which includes seven community residents, at its April 27 meeting.

The soil sampling and risk assessment are being done for the County by TRC, a Concord-based environmental consulting firm. The risk assessment will also compare levels of metals found in the sampled soil against background levels taken from published academic and regulatory sources.

Catalyst dust fallout from MRC on a car. Source: BAAQMD

On November 24-25, 2022, MRC accidentally released up to 24 tons of metal-laden spent catalyst dust into the surrounding community. MRC failed to notify the County about the incident, which the County learned about two days later from social media, as required by local policy. Initial wipe samples of the spent-catalyst dust taken from surfaces in neighborhoods around the refinery in the days after the accident showed elevated levels of certain metals, such as aluminum, barium, chromium, nickel, vanadium, and zinc.

The most acute health risk occurred at the time of the incident when people could have breathed in the dust and caused respiratory distress. Questions have persisted about possible long-term health impacts, particularly from food grown in potentially contaminated soil exposed to the spent catalyst.

In March, with spring and gardening season arriving, the County’s health officer issued an advisory cautioning residents not to eat food grown in potentially contaminated soil until environmental testing could be completed.

“Residents affected by this release deserve to know if there is any health risk. Contra Costa Health is working as quickly as possible to ensure that accurate information reaches the public about this issue,” said Board of Supervisors Chair John Gioia, who also serves on the Bay Area Air Quality Management District Board of Directors.

For more information on the risk assessment and independent investigation of the November 2022 incident, visit cchealth.org/hazmat/mrc.

 

Three Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers in Contra Costa receive top patient safety rating

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The Leapfrog Group’s biannual safety report gives an “A” to Richmond, Walnut Creek and Antioch locations for limiting patient injuries, reducing medical errors, and preventing infections

By Antonia Ehlers, PR & Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

The Leapfrog Group recognized both the Kaiser Permanente Richmond, Walnut Creek and Antioch Medical Centers with a top score of “A” in its biannual Hospital Safety Grades report. After reviewing hospital clinical performance, The Leapfrog Group assigned letter grades to nearly 3,000 hospitals throughout the United States. The Kaiser Medical Centers in Walnut Creek and on Sand Creek Road in Antioch received the same top rating for Fall 2022. Kaiser’s Richmond Medical Center improved from its B rating last fall. (See related article)

Hospitals received grades based on approximately two dozen measures that analyze patient injuries, medical and medication errors, and infections. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

This spring, 17 Kaiser Permanente hospitals in Northern California received “A” scores including: Antioch, Richmond, Walnut Creek, Fremont, Fresno, Manteca, Modesto, Oakland, Roseville, San Francisco, San Leandro, San Rafael, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, South San Francisco, Vacaville and Vallejo. Additionally, Kaiser Permanente hospitals in Redwood City, Sacramento and San Jose received “B” scores.

More than 80% of Kaiser Permanente Northern California (17 of 21) hospitals received an “A” grade. In California overall, only 34% of the state’s hospitals earned the top grade.

“Patient safety is at the heart of everything we do,” said Chris Boyd, senior vice president and area manager of Kaiser Permanente’s Diablo Service Area. “We are honored to be recognized as a leader in patient safety, and we are incredibly proud of our health care professionals who make a difference every day.”

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits, released its Hospital Safety Grades after examining publicly available data on patient injuries, medical and medication errors and infections at U.S. hospitals. The report includes data collected by national health care organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Scores are calculated based on more than two dozen publicly available measures, and hospitals are then assigned A, B, C, D or F grades for their safety records. The grades are released as a free resource to help patients and their families make informed health care decisions.

“Recognitions like this speak to our commitment to safety,” said Sharon Mowat, MD, physician in chief of the Antioch Medical Center. “Our goal is to provide excellent, compassionate patient care of the highest quality and safety to every patient, every day.”

Kaiser Permanente is one of America’s leading integrated health care providers and serves more than 12.6 million members. Nationally, 29 of 39 Kaiser Permanente hospitals, nearly 75% percent, received a Leapfrog Safety “A” grade. In contrast, less than 30% of the nation’s hospitals received an “A” rating.

For more information and a complete list of the hospital safety grades, visit Leapfrog.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.

 

Morris outduels Foulger for mid-week Clash win at Antioch Speedway

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Troy Morris III #07 won a three-car battle for the victory in the IMCA Modified Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media 

Antioch, CA…May 3…Troy Morris III scored the win in the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Wednesday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the opening round of the five race Central California Clash, and the win for the Bakersfield driver paid $1,000.

Reigning IMCA State champion Jim Pettit II of Prunedale motored into the lead at the start ahead of Troy Foulger of Martinez. The race had multiple caution flags during the first 10 laps with Pettit leading Foulger up to that point. Morris moved up to battle Clark Guglielmoni of Vacaville for third on Lap 10. A low pass in Turn 4 on Lap 13 put Morris into third, and he soon joined the battle between Pettit and Foulger for first.

An outside pass on the back stretch on Lap 18 moved Morris around both Pettit and Foulger with Foulger going low in Turn 4 to take second. A yellow flag waved on Lap 23. However, Morris kept his poise and withstood a serious challenge down the front stretch to hold off Foulger for the win. Pettit settled for third ahead of Gugliemoni and Bobby Hogge IV of Salinas.

Jerry Flippo #42f scored a thrilling win in the IMCA Stock Car feature race. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Jerry Flippo of Bakersfield won the 25 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event aboard the Les Friend owned entry. Martinez’s Troy Foulger set the early pace ahead of Flippo and Anthony Slaney of Martinez. They ran in that order through the first 12 laps before Raymond Noland of Porterville rolled his car in Turn 2. He was not injured.

Foulger continued to set the pace on the restart, but he got sideways exiting Turn 4 on Lap 18. Flippo gathered the momentum on the inside and passed him at the line to take the lead. Foulger made a couple of big attempts on the inside through Turns 3 and 4 to get by, but Flippo kept holding him back. By that point, Rick Diaz of Los Banos had moved into third.

On the final lap, Foulger made a very aggressive inside move in Turn 3 and drifted up high in Turn 4 with the lead. Undaunted, Flippo ducked to the inside and beat Foulger back to the line for the victory. Diaz settled for third ahead of Fred Ryland of Brentwood and Slaney.

Reigning Clash champion Tyler Bannister #51 won the IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Reigning Clash champion Tyler Bannister of Bakersfield won the 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. Les Friend of Galt led a lap before Antioch’s Joseph Pato gained advantage. Following a yellow flag after two laps, Bannister took the lead. Jason Ryan Jr of Oakley moved into third on Lap 4. Mallet took second on a Lap 16 restart and held the spot until being involved in a three-car tangle in Turn 1 on Lap 22. Bannister led Kenny Shrader of Pacheco on the restart, and they finished that way with Ryan settling for third ahead of Trevor Clymens of Brentwood and Aaron Farrell of Atascadero.

Racing continues on Saturday night with the Wingless Spec Sprints kicking off their season with a special Memorial Lap for long time division supporter Rick Panfili. Also in action will be the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks, Super Stocks, Delta Dwarf Cars and Print Club Mini Stocks. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Antioch Speedway Race Results 

IMCA Modifieds 

Heat Winners (10 laps)-Jake Pike, Nick DeCarlo, Josh Combs. B Main (12 laps)-Anthony Slaney, Austin Kiefer, Paul Guglielmoni. Main Event (25 laps)-Troy Morris III, Troy Foulger, Jim Pettit II, Clark Guglielmoni, Bobby Hogge IV, Nick DeCarlo, Paul Stone, Jake Pike, Josh Combs, Cody Burke.

IMCA Sport Modifieds 

Heat Winners (10 laps)-Timmy Crews, Jacob Mallet Jr. Main Event (25 laps)-Tyler Bannister, Kenny Shrader, Jason Ryan Jr, Trevor Clymens, Aaron Farrell, Mark Garner,  Fred Ryland, Les Friend, Chuck Golden, Jacob Mallet Jr.

IMCA Stock Cars 

Heat Winners (10 laps)-Rick Diaz, Anthony Slaney. Main Event (25 laps)-Jerry Flippo, Troy Foulger, Rick Diaz, Fred Ryland, Anthony Slaney, Travis Dutra, Kevin Roberts, Steve Stone, Kenneth Robles, Jason Robles.

 

Martinez man charged with gun possession in a school zone

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Suspect out on bail

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has filed a two-count complaint against a Martinez man for possessing a firearm in a school zone.

23-year-old Michael Joseph Childressfrey has an arraignment date set on May 31st for offenses related to an incident that occurred on April 26th at John Swett Elementary School on Alhambra Avenue in Martinez.

At approximately 1:00 pm, Martinez Police were dispatched to the school campus to investigate reports of a known adult male who was in the school parking lot. Police were told that the man was not a welcomed presence, and he frequently carries a firearm.

When officers arrived at the school, they approached Childressfrey in a parked vehicle. He was cooperative, and when asked, Childressfrey said he was in possession of a firearm. Law enforcement authorities placed Childressfrey under arrest for gun possession in a school zone and carrying a loaded concealed firearm. Later, police seized two additional weapons from Childressfrey’s residence. Childressfrey was taken into custody and immediately posted bail before the investigation could be referred for prosecution.

While the incident was resolved peacefully, parents and neighbors have expressed their concern over the matter, and that Childressfrey posted monetary bail the day of his arrest.

District Attorney Diana Becton said, “This incident is understandably distressing– my Office worked in conjunction with the Martinez Police Department to ensure a swift filing determination. After receiving a request for prosecution from Martinez Police on Friday, the DA’s Office reviewed the case and filed the necessary documents with the court to initiate prosecution on Monday.”

Case No. 01-23-01358 | The People of the State of California vs. Childressfrey, Michael Joseph

Overnight Hwy 4 (bypass) closure for Mokelumne Trail overcrossing postponed until May 12 & 13

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Between Lone Tree Way and Sand Creek Road

The overnight closure of State Route 4 between Lone Tree Way and Sand Creek Road in Brentwood originally planned for Friday, May 5 through Saturday, May 6, 2023 has been postponed one week to Friday, May 12 through Saturday, May 13, 2023.

In partnership with the City of Brentwood, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is constructing the Mokelumne Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing to provide safe access to cyclists and pedestrians for commuting and recreational travel, reconnecting two sides of the trail that were separated by the expansion of State Route 4.

When completed, the overcrossing will provide access to the future East County Intermodal Transit Center and BART Station in Brentwood, as well. It is part of the larger Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail which also includes the Delta de Anza Regional Trail that runs through Antioch and Oakley,  that will, when completed, connect six counties across California from the East Bay to the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

The overnight closure will facilitate final adjustments to the falsework as part of the construction work installing the pedestrian and bicyclist crossing over State Route 4. This closure will impact State Route 4 in both the Eastbound and Westbound directions. CCTA and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) have scheduled the closure during the early morning hours in order to minimize impacts to the motoring public.

In order to ensure crew and public safety during the planned construction work, a temporary nighttime freeway closure in both directions of State Route 4 will occur in both Eastbound and Westbound lanes of Highway 4 from midnight on Friday, May 12 until 6:00am on Saturday, May 13, 2023 (weather permitting).

Detours
Detours will be in place to reroute drivers around the closure and are planned as follows: Eastbound traffic will be directed to exit at Lone Tree Way, go eastbound to Shady Willow Lane, then southbound on Shady Willow Lane to Sand Creek Road, before proceeding westbound on Sand Creek Road to the eastbound State Route 4 on-ramp.

Westbound drivers having to detour will exit on Sand Creek Road and go eastbound on Sand Creek Road to Shady Willow Lane, then northbound on Shady Willow Lane to Lone Tree Way, and proceed westbound on Lone Tree Way to the westbound State Route 4 on-ramp.

Future Freeway Closures

Additional overnight closures will be needed over the course of the next eight weeks (weather dependent) to facilitate concrete pours for the stem and soffit and deck of the future Mokelumne Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing. Additional information regarding dates and detours will be provided once the schedule is confirmed. This project is anticipated to be complete in late summer or early fall of 2023.

College District announces finalist for Contra Costa Community President

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Meet Dr. Kimberly Rogers during in-person forum Monday morning, May 8

By Marisa Greenberg, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Contra Costa Community College District

Dr. Kimberly Rogers. Photo: 4CD

The Contra Costa Community College District (District) announces the selection of one finalist for the position of President of Contra Costa College. The finalist is: Kimberly Rogers, Ph.D.

An in-person forum has been scheduled for May 8, 2023, on the Contra Costa College campus. Employees, students, and community members are invited to attend the forum which will last 60 minutes, beginning at 11:00 a.m., and will be recorded. A detailed public forum schedule, recording of the forum, and an online survey to provide feedback on the candidate will be available on the District website at www.4cd.edu. 

Dr. Kimberly R. Rogers has over 20 years of administrative and teaching experience in higher education and currently serves as the Acting President of Contra Costa College (CCC) in the Contra Costa Community College District (4CD). Since joining CCC as the Vice President of Instruction in January 2021, Dr. Rogers has worked to promote and expand academic and career pathways for CCC’s students. Under Dr. Rogers’s leadership, CCC was selected for the inaugural Achieving the Dream Accelerating Equitable Outcomes for Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and People of Color Cohort; was chosen as a NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) campus; established a Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) program; and became the first 4CD member of the Rising Scholars Network, a program to improve educational and career outcomes for justice-impacted individuals.

Dr. Rogers’s background in Instruction and Student Affairs has allowed CCC to halt a several-year-long enrollment slide and begin a recovery despite the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her leadership, CCC has now experienced several consecutive terms of enrollment increases. Dr. Rogers has overseen the implementation of student-centered scheduling; advocated for new personnel to alleviate understaffing and enhance CCC’s ability to serve its community; and demonstrated open-mindedness and creativity in embracing ways to serve students and meet the diverse needs of West County. Dr. Rogers organized a $500,000 multi-year partnership between CCC and the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, brought the Phi Theta Kappa international honors society to CCC, and started the Comets to Careers professional clothing closet.

In recognition of the twin crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation, Dr. Rogers launched several initiatives to support students’ basic needs. CCC started a Free Lunch program, expanded mental health counseling, extended a one-time housing grant, expanded food resources in the Comet Market to include supplies for parenting students, and offered free fitness center access to all. This was accompanied by the creation of the first full-time staff position for basic needs at the college.

Prior to joining CCC, Dr. Rogers served as the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Roxbury Community College (RCC), where her duties included accreditation oversight, curriculum development, assessment of student learning, faculty and staff development, federal and state grant administration, and the integration of academic and student affairs with a focus on equity. She partnered with faculty to launch new programs and credentials in Nursing, Early Childhood Education, Aviation Maintenance Technology, and Smart Building Technology. With her background in music, Dr. Rogers prioritized reviving RCC’s arts and humanities curriculum. In December 2018, for the first time in more than a decade, students and faculty held an Arts Showcase to demonstrate their achievements in music, visual, and performing arts.

Born and raised in South Carolina, Dr. Rogers was a first-generation student and remains a lifelong learner. She earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education from the Pennsylvania State University, master’s degree in education from Harvard University, and BA degree in French, with a minor in chemistry, from the University of South Carolina Honors College. She has held academic appointments at the State University of New York at Buffalo, the University of Massachusetts Boston, and the Université de Haute Alsace in France. Earlier in her career she was a violin teacher for K-12 students at the University of South Carolina String Project, a nationally recognized program that provides accessible music education for youth and adults.

The Contra Costa Community College District (4CD) is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. The 4CD serves a population of 1,019,640 people, and its boundaries encompass all but 48 of the 734-square-mile land area of Contra Costa County. 4CD is home to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, as well as educational centers in Brentwood and San Ramon. The District headquarters is located in downtown Martinez. For more information visit www.4cd.edu.

 

Alamo man charged with running $39 million Ponzi scheme

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Derek Vincent Chu faces up to 20 years in prison and $250K fine for each count of wire fraud

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury indicted Derek Vincent Chu, charging him with crimes related to an alleged $39 million Ponzi scheme involving over 100 victims, on April 26, 2023, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Darren Lian, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp.

According to the indictment, between late 2013 and 2020, Chu, 41, of Alamo, Calif., used several companies to raise $39 million by fraudulently soliciting investments in the purchase and resale of professional basketball tickets and luxury suites at Oracle Arena, in Oakland, California; the Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California; and the Chase Center, in San Francisco, California. The indictment further alleges that Chu induced investors by making numerous materially false misrepresentations, including how the investor funds would be used, how investors would be repaid, and whether the investments were secured by collateral.

According to the allegations in the indictment, Chu commingled the investors’ money between his own personal accounts and his companies’ accounts, which resulted in investor money being used to repay other, earlier investors, and for other unrelated expenses. Furthermore, the indictment alleges that Chu misappropriated and diverted more than $7.3 million of investor funds for his own personal benefit, which included paying credit card debts; making cash withdrawals; paying for travel, luxury automobile and jewelry purchases; and paying utilities bills, among other things.

The indictment charges Chu with eight counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343 and 2, and three counts of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1957 and 2.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Each wire fraud count has a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine in the amount of $250,000. Each money-laundering count has a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine in the amount of $250,000. The court also may order a term of supervised release, fines or other assessments, restitution, and forfeiture, if appropriate. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Chu was arrested this morning and made an initial appearance before the Hon. Laurel Beeler, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of California. Chu’s next appearance is scheduled before Judge Beeler on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, for appearance of counsel.

The Special Prosecutions Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the San Francisco Police Department.

Individuals who believe that they may be a victim in this case should contact the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California’s victim specialists by email at: USACAN.DCVictimAsst@usdoj.gov.

 

Overnight Highway 4 (bypass) closure this weekend May 5-6

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Mokelumne Trail Overcrossing April 2023 progress. Photo: CCTA

Midnight to 6:00 am for Mokelumne Trail overcrossing

BRENTWOOD, CA – In partnership with the City of Brentwood, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is constructing the Mokelumne Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing to provide safe access to cyclists and pedestrians for commuting and recreational travel, reconnecting two sides of the trail that were separated by the expansion of State Route 4.  The overnight closure will facilitate final adjustments to the falsework as part of the construction work installing the pedestrian and bicyclist crossing over State Route 4.  This closure will impact State Route 4 in both the Eastbound and Westbound directions.  CCTA and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) have scheduled the closure during the early morning hours in order to minimize impacts to the motoring public.

Overnight Freeway Closure of State Route 4 between Lone Tree Way and Sand Creek RoadIn order to ensure crew and public safety during the planned construction work, a temporary nighttime freeway closure in both directions of State Route 4 will occur between Friday, May 5, 2023 and Saturday, May 6, 2023 on the following schedule (weather permitting):Eastbound and Westbound Highway 4 will be closed from midnight on Friday, May 5 until 6:00am on Saturday, May 6, 2023.

Detours

Detours will be in place to reroute drivers around the closure and are planned as follows:Eastbound traffic will be directed to exit at Lone Tree Way, go eastbound to Shady Willow Lane, then southbound on Shady Willow Lane to Sand Creek Road, before proceeding westbound on Sand Creek Road to the eastbound State Route 4 on-ramp.

Westbound drivers having to detour will exit on Sand Creek Road and go eastbound on Sand Creek Road to Shady Willow Lane, then northbound on Shady Willow Lane to Lone Tree Way, and proceed westbound on Lone Tree Way to the westbound State Route 4 on-ramp.

Future Freeway Closures

Additional overnight closures will be needed over the course of the next eight weeks (weather dependent) to facilitate concrete pours for the stem and soffit and deck of the future Mokelumne Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing.  Additional information regarding dates and detours will be provided once the schedule is confirmed.  This project is anticipated to be complete in late summer or early fall of 2023.

About the Contra Costa Transportation Authority

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is a public agency formed by Contra Costa voters in 1988 to manage the county’s transportation sales tax program and oversee countywide transportation planning efforts. With a staff of twenty people managing a multi-billion-dollar suite of projects and programs, CCTA is responsible for planning, funding and delivering critical transportation infrastructure projects and programs that connect our communities, foster a strong economy, increase sustainability, and safely and efficiently get people where they need to go. CCTA also serves as the county’s designated Congestion Management Agency, responsible for putting programs in place to keep traffic levels manageable. More information about CCTA is available at ccta.net.

Park District acquires 768 acres next to Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and Mt. Diablo State Park

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Finley Road ranch property in the Danville area. Photo: EBRPD

Finley Road ranch property

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, Public Affairs, East Bay Regional Park District

The East Bay Regional Park District has purchased the 768-acre Finley Road ranch property located in Contra Costa County at the western edge of Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and the southern edge of Mount Diablo State Park. The acquisition preserves forever one of the largest remaining pristine open spaces adjacent to Mount Diablo State Park. The property was officially acquired on April 24, 2023. Park District board of directors voted to authorize purchase of the property on March 7, 2023.

“The acquisition is an important step toward a long-desired staging area at the end of Finley Road,” said Park District Board Director John Mercurio. “Access to western Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and southern Mount Diablo State Park has been limited over the years and this property is an important step toward improving public access.”

The Finley Road Ranch property includes a flat, accessible area for a potential staging area that would provide access to the property and significantly improve public access to the Park District’s Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and the adjacent Mount Diablo State Park.

Finley Road ranch map. Source: EBRPD

“The Park District thanks our partners for their contributions toward the acquisition, including the California Coastal Conservancy and Save Mount Diablo,” said Park District General Manager Sabrina Landreth. “The acquisition supports the Park District’s mission of habitat preservation and providing public access for recreation, and furthers California’s 30×30 Initiative goal of conserving 30 percent of the state’s lands and coastal waters by 2030.”

The Park District is a supporter of the state’s 30×30 Initiative and participates in the initiative’s partnership coordinating committee, which works toward implementing the policies of the 30×30 Initiative and facilitates coordination among state and federal public agencies, tribal partners, and other non-governmental partners.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.