Contra Costa Herald

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

Endorsement: Walnut Creek’s Measure U for senior housing, mixed-use development near BART station just makes sense

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By Allen D. Payton, Publisher

While it shouldn’t have to take a developer to get a measure placed on the ballot to obtain approval for a transit-oriented development housing and mixed-use project next to a BART station, the fact that Hall Equities Group has gone the extra mile to do so with Measure U is worth noting, having gathered public support to go directly to the voters and send a clear message to a different Hall, that is City Hall.

As previously reported, Measure U would update zoning in Downtown Walnut Creek to allow for more than 200 units of high-quality senior housing on a 2.4-acre, transit-oriented site near the Walnut Creek BART station. The rezoning would create an opportunity to address the city’s growing need for senior housing while allowing residents to remain close to family, friends, healthcare, shopping and other community services as they age.

The initiative would also support a mixed-use community with retail, a plaza and food-oriented businesses, creating a more vibrant and walkable downtown while supporting local businesses. By directing new housing to an area already served by BART, the initiative advances smart, sustainable growth and makes it easier for seniors to maintain mobility and independence without relying solely on a car.

Summary – What Measure U Does

Measure U takes an existing vacant office building, large above-ground parking structure and office-only zoning and changes the zoning to senior housing, market and retail, and office space.

Please see the Resolution, City Attorney Analysis and Argument in Favor.

As is stated by the Yes on Measure U’s Argument in Favor, “This initiative aligns with Walnut Creek’s General Plan, including the City’s recently adopted Housing Element and North Downtown Specific Plan. It advances Walnut Creek’s goals for sustainable growth, reduced traffic, and enhanced quality of life, and to begin to balance the supply Of housing in Walnut Creek designated for seniors. Measure U is a responsible, forward-thinking investment in Walnut Creek’s future. It provides the housing our seniors need while creating a thriving mixed-use area for everyone – without raising taxes.” I especially like that last part. The housing will not be taxpayer subsidized as are so many other residential projects currently under development in the county.

Aerial view of location and map of the proposed project and elements near the Walnut Creek BART Station. Source: Yes on Measure U

No Organized Opposition

The fact that there has been no organized opposition to the measure and no Argument Against it was submitted for inclusion in the County’s election guide, reflects the broad community support for creating more senior housing and a connected, transit-oriented community in Downtown Walnut Creek.

My Connection to Walnut Creek

For parts of my life, I grew up and graduated from high school in Walnut Creek and my first job after college was working for a small, boutique, Walnut Creek-based in-fill housing developer that built 10- to 40-lot subdivisions in Walnut Creek and Concord. Also, I first became involved in public service in 1989 with an appointment by the City Council to the Land Use Subcommittee of the Walnut Creek in the Year 2000 Committee. While it’s 37 years later, the long-term plans of focusing high-density housing near the Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill (Contra Costa Centre) BART Stations just made sense, then and still do, now.

Long-Time Supporter of TOD

I later went on to serve on the Antioch City Council from 1994-98 and during that time – with the knowledge I’d gained in Walnut Creek – co-authored a growth management advisory measure, also labeled Measure U, which tied new growth in that city to widening of Highway 4 and new school construction, which was sorely needed then, called “growth metering”, and it passed overwhelmingly by 69% of the vote. I also represented East County on the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and three other East County transportation boards.

For full disclosure, because of that experience I later helped start and currently serve in leadership for three companies which are focused on bringing a low-cost, solar-powered electric, ultra-light rail transit system for both passengers and freight as well as the associated real estate development surrounding the stations, known as transit oriented development (TOD) and transit villages, also referred to as livable, walkable, sustainable communities. (On a side note, I was there the night one of the Long brothers, after speaking and pounding his cane on the floor in defiance, was told by the Walnut Creek City Council his company could not build on their own land on North Civic Drive. As a result, Long’s Drugs ended up building offices in Antioch for their support personnel, also, because they learned so many of their employees lived in that city. But it would have made more sense for them to build just blocks away from the Walnut Creek BART Station).

So, I’m clearly a supporter of high-density housing, commercial and retail next to and near transit stations. It also helps implement one of the bills signed into law by Gov. Schwarzenegger, specifically, SB 375 (2008) which requires “coordinating the regional housing needs allocation process with the regional transportation process while maintaining local authority over land use decisions,” and formed the basis for the Plan Bay Area effort.

But to be perfectly clear, my businesses have no interest in or connection to the Walnut Creek BART station area TOD plans and projects. Our companies’ plans are focused on other parts of the county, the Bay Area, throughout the state, nation and internationally. So, this endorsement of Measure U will serve no benefit to either my businesses or me, personally.

Connection to Mark Hall

While I’ve been familiar with Mark Hall, Chairman of the Board of Hall Equities Group, since his father Merle was Mayor of Walnut Creek and nominated me for that appointment to the committee in 1989, I am primarily familiar with the work Mark and his company have done through the years to bring good projects to Walnut Creek, including the COPA Soccer Training Center in the Shadelands and the Shadelands Sports Mall, where it’s located.

So, it’s not because of any personal benefit or connection that I support the measure he and his company are championing.

Measure U Makes Sense

I’m endorsing Measure U because it just makes sense and I trust that Mark and his company will bring a quality project to the city which will benefit not only the seniors who will end up living there, but the entire Walnut Creek community and beyond. For example, those of us who chose to live in East County (mainly due to housing affordability over the past 35 to 40 years) and whose parents choose to live in this new development, we will be able to ride BART from Antioch, Pittsburg and Bay Point, or anywhere else along the BART system, to visit them and vice versa. (Assuming the BART Board doesn’t end up closing the East County stations. But that’s another matter for discussion, with a related measure also on the November ballot). Actually, thinking about it, I’m getting up there in age and I might end up wanting to return to Walnut Creek and live in the senior housing there some day, myself! That would be the only way this project could benefit me, personally. LOL

Seriously, I encourage the voters of Walnut Creek to support the project, allow for the senior housing, retail, restaurants and community plaza near the BART Station by voting yes on Measure U.

While the election is on Tuesday, November 3rd, you should have already received your ballot in the mail. If you haven’t done so, yet please get it out and fill in the oval next to “Yes” under Measure U. Thank you for your consideration.

For more information visit www.wcseniorhousing.org.

West County: Eastbound I-80 Carquinez Bridge daytime ramp and lane closure Wednesday morning Oct. 14

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Source: Caltrans District 4

Contra Costa & Solano counties – from 6:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

By Sabrina Martinez & DeNise Harding, Caltrans District 4

Caltrans maintenance has scheduled the closure of the Pomona Street Eastbound (EB) on-ramp and single lane closure on EB I-80 Carquinez Bridge.

The closure is necessary to give maintenance crews the opportunity to complete routine Maintenance.

Schedule: Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 6:00 a.m. through 11:30 a.m.

Detour: Motorist can take the Westbound (WB) Pomona on-ramp to WB I-80 and take the first exit, Cumming Skyway off-ramp. Turn left across the overcrossing, then proceed to take the on- ramp to EB I- 80 across the Carquinez Bridge

Sign up to receive updates on the Carquinez Bridge at Carquinez Bridge Mailing List.

All work is weather dependent and subject to change.

For 24/7 traffic updates, follow 511.org: https://twitter.com/511SFBay.

For real-time traffic, download the QuickMap App available in your App store or click on Caltrans QuickMap: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/.

 

 

October 15: BART to participate in Great ShakeOut 2026

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You can too at 10:15am

By BART

BART will participate in the 2026 International ShakeOut Day earthquake drill on Thursday, October 15, to test our emergency response systems and to help raise public awareness of the importance of having a plan and being prepared.

At 10:15am, BART staff will trigger our ShakeAlert early warning earthquake system to ensure it is functioning and working correctly. Once triggered, trains will automatically slow down to 27mph. Then all trains will come to a very brief stop. BART will also make a systemwide public announcement encouraging riders to be prepared for earthquakes. BART will also test our internal communications systems to notify employees and the Operations Control Center will observe earthquake alarms and our train control systems to ensure they are working properly. BART has also added simulated damage inspections to its ShakeAlert drill, which you can read more about below.

ShakeAlert Early Warning Earthquake System

BART is an early adopter of the ShakeAlert system, which is connected to a network of USGS seismic sensors throughout California. When the BART seismic condition threshold is reached is reached, the system sends a speed restriction command to trains. This system removes human response time and can even slow trains down before the shaking occurs depending on how far away the quake is centered.

Emergency Response Plan

BART has an Earthquake Emergency Response Plan, and we hold several drills a year to ensure staff is trained and ready to respond. In the event of an earthquake, riders should listen for instructions from BART personnel. Employees are trained to evacuate the public from dangerous areas.  Following an earthquake, BART trains are held in place (except for trains in the Transbay Tube and Berkeley Hills Tunnel) until it is determined it is safe to move the train to the nearest station where riders will be offboarded.

Earthquake Safety Tips

Where will you be and what will you do when the next big earthquake hits? Taking time to consider these questions now could help if you ever do find yourself in an earthquake.

LISTEN FOR INSTRUCTIONS

That’s one reason why the first guideline in a BART emergency is to follow instructions from BART personnel. The BART Operations Control Center is in constant communication with trains and Station Agents and is in the best position to manage emergencies and provide direction for the public.

ON A TRAIN

If you’re on a train during an earthquake, Train Operators will follow BART’s established emergency plan and provide you with important information. Sit down or grab a handhold to avoid injury. If an evacuation is necessary, emergency response personnel will coordinate.

IN A STATION

If you’re in a station during an earthquake, back away from the edge of the trackway. If you’re in the station concourse, don’t proceed to the platform. Instead, prepare to evacuate the station under the direction of BART personnel.

TRY TEXTING

No matter where you are, emergency experts recommend using text messaging instead of cell calls to communicate with family and loved ones in an emergency. Cell networks can be overwhelmed if everyone’s trying to call at the same time; text messages can be more efficient.

Earthquake Safety Program Completed in 2024

In September 2024, BART completed its Earthquake Safety Program, which retrofitted vulnerable high traffic portions of the original system to make it safer in a large quake. The Earthquake Safety Program was funded in part by Measure AA, a $980 million general obligation BART bond approved by voters in 2004. The program focused on upgrading portions of the original system not only for life safety but also to ensure that we can return to operation shortly after a major earthquake.

Source: ShakeOut.org

BART’s Earthquake Response Team

BART’s Earthquake Response Team (ERT) consists of around sixty engineers and thirty maintenance employees that fan out across the system in the advent of a major earthquake, defined as an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 or greater with an epicenter within 50 miles of the BART system. Since its inception, the ERT has never been activated for a real event, but they train throughout the year to prepare for the real possibility of a massive earthquake rattling the Bay Area.

The Great ShakeOut is the ERT’s big show. Once the international earthquake drill commences, BART staff hit the ground running. ERT members travel to all 50 stations to conduct structural assessments, simulating damage inspections that would occur during a real earthquake. They inspect walkways, support structures, elevators, escalators – anything that could sustain damage in a powerful earthquake.

The Great ShakeOut simulation is designed to exercise “muscle memory” for BART’s earthquake response as well as identifying areas for improvement.

Safety is BART’s mission above all, and the practiced ERT is crucial for getting service up and running quickly.

The team focuses their observations on stations and aerial structures. They’re looking for physical damage – cracks, leaning, displacement, unevenness, and foundation damage – as well as issues like station power outages, falling signage, and water intrusion.

Members of the ERT can be activated at any time, and staff volunteer to join the team. Every ERT member is issued two big backpacks full of supplies they might need, from batteries and measuring tools to safety vests and protein bars. One backpack stays at their house: the other in their office. See what’s inside in the video.

Visit Shakeout.org for simple safety steps during earthquakes.

City of Oakley, rail agencies to hold groundbreaking ceremony for new Amtrak Station, October 14

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Oakley Amtrak Station rendering. Source: SJRRC

Construction to begin in early 2027, Gold Runner train service expected to begin by spring 2028

Antioch station still scheduled to close

By Ahdel Ahmed, Public Relations Manager, San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission

Oakley, CA – The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA), the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC), and the City of Oakley are proud to announce the next major milestone in the development of the new at-grade regional rail station that will bring Gold Runner trains into the heart of Contra Costa County. To commemorate this milestone, a groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Wednesday, October 14, at the site of the future station. The event will feature remarks from SJRRC and City leadership, as well as local, regional, state, and federal representatives.

What: Oakley Station Groundbreaking

When: Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Where: 3486 Main Street, Oakley

“The City Council and staff are thankful for our project partners, who are bringing a much-needed commuter transit option for the residents of Oakley,” said Oakley Mayor Hugh Henderson. “We are also excited about the station and rail service providing another opportunity for economic growth as passengers from outside the region will be able to comfortably travel to attend Oakley events, and eat, drink, and shop right in the downtown, as well as access bus and rideshare services to travel throughout the city.”

The future Oakley Station will bring Amtrak’s Gold Runner (formerly San Joaquins) intercity passenger rail service to one of Contra Costa County’s fastest-growing areas, creating a new transportation connection for Oakley, Brentwood and surrounding East Contra Costa County communities.

Gold Runner Rail & Thruway Bus Service from Oakley

Developed through a partnership between the SJJPA and the City of Oakley, the station will provide Gold Runner rail and Thruway Bus service to communities throughout Northern California, the Bay Area, the Central Valley and Southern California.

“Breaking ground on the Oakley Station is the next step toward bringing Gold Runner service to a high-growth area in the East Bay and is a long-term investment in intercity rail that will serve the community for years to come,” said Chris Orlando, CEO of the SJRRC and SJJPA. “We’ve worked closely with the City of Oakley for nearly a decade to plan this station, and their partnership and local investment are a big reason we’re taking this next step. Once complete, the station will give East County residents a modern, accessible and convenient way to travel by rail, whether they’re headed to Oakland, Santa Rosa, Eureka, Sacramento, the San Joaquin Valley, or Southern California.”

Key Construction Components

The project includes construction of a new at-grade station with a 720-foot-long, 13-foot-wide cast-in-place concrete side-loading passenger platform to safely and efficiently serve current and future rail operations. The station will feature ADA-compliant accessibility improvements, including tactile warning panels, a full-length underdrain system, and metal safety guardrails.

Architectural elements such as canopy shelters, lighting, signage, and wayfinding have been designed to complement the surrounding neighborhood while enhancing the passenger experience. The platform meets BNSF and Amtrak clearance standards and is sized to accommodate the Gold Runner’s current longest seven-car Venture trainset with a locomotive, while providing capacity for future expansion to an eight-car consist.

Major construction activities are anticipated to begin in early 2027, with trains serving the station by spring 2028.

Source: City of Oakley

Antioch-Pittsburg Station Will Close

The opening of the Oakley Station will be at the expense of the Antioch-Pittsburg Station in downtown Rivertown and it will close in spite of the improvements there and the formation of a working group last fall. (See related articles here, here, here, here and here).

To verify if that’s still the case, Ahdel Ahmed, Public Relations Manager for the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission was asked if the Antioch-Pittsburg Station will close when the Oakley Station opens in spring 2028. He said, “Some of the timeline challenges have to do with getting a contractor on board for Oakley. As soon as Oakley opens the Antioch Station will have to be closed in the next 12 to 18 months.”

Asked if the board can change their vote, now that Antioch has cleaned up its station area and made it safer, Ahmed said, “Technically, the SJJPA board could change their vote. However, we’re at this point now where the contract will be awarded for construction of the Oakley station.”

“I think we had a clear line of communication with the City of Antioch,” he continued. “The leadership has done an outstanding job of communicating with us and the investment they made in that area won’t necessarily cause our board to have a reverse decision. We do appreciate their partnership on that. We’ve had some townhalls with the community with the City as a partner, but we haven’t had a change of direction.”

Asked if the issue was the distance between the stations Ahmed stated, “With the distance between the two stations, we’re simply not able to operate the train. These requirements are coming through the host railroad.”

The railroad company is Burlington Northern Santa Fe, known as BNSF, which has a rule requiring a six-mile distance between stations. The planned Oakley Amtrak station is less than that distance from the Antioch-Pittsburg Station which gave the SJJPA board another reason to close it.

Tri Delta Transit Bus Service to Oakley Station

Asked if there will bus service from the current Antioch-Pittsburg station location to the Oakley station once it opens, Leeann Loroño, Manager of Customer Service and Marketing for Tri Delta Transit said, “We are going to service Amtrak in Oakley with our regular route service, 373 and Tri My Ride and we are in talks with the SJJPA about serving the Antioch Amtrak Station. They are currently in discussions about that.”

Route 373 also connects to the Antioch BART Station, “from Brentwood, through Oakley to the Antioch BART Station,” she added.

About the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA)

Since July 2015, SJJPA has been responsible for the management and administration of Gold Runner, previously Amtrak San Joaquins. SJJPA is governed by Board Members representing each of the ten (10) Member Agencies along the 365-mile Gold Runner Corridor. For more information on SJJPA see www.sjjpa.com. Gold Runner is Amtrak’s 6th busiest route with 18 train stations throughout the Central Valley and Bay Area, providing a safe, comfortable and reliable way to travel throughout California. Gold Runner is currently running six daily round-trips. In addition to the train service, Gold Runner Thruway buses provide connecting service to 135 destinations in California and Nevada including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Napa Valley, Las Vegas and Reno. For more information about SJJPA, visit www.sjjpa.com.

About the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC)

The San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) is a public agency focused on expanding and improving passenger rail service across the Central Valley and Northern California. As the operator of ACE and manager of the Valley Rail Program, SJRRC works to deliver safe, sustainable, and efficient transportation that connects communities, reduces traffic congestion, and supports regional growth. For more information about SJRRC, visit www.sjrrc.com.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

AC Transit, AFSCME Local 3916 reach new deal for 300+ employees

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Photo: AC Transit

District says agreement strengthens workforce stability, helping protect service for riders

Requires AC Transit Board approval

By Robert Lyles, Media Affairs & Strategic Initiatives Manager, Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District 

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) has reached a ratified agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3916, marking an important advancement during a pivotal year for the Transit District and its workforce of more than 2,200 employees.

The ratified collective bargaining agreement offers greater stability and certainty for the more than 300 Local 3916 members, while reinforcing the workforce stability needed to deliver reliable service to more than 3 million riders each month.

“I want to thank everyone on both sides of the negotiating table for the professionalism and persistence that brought us to this milestone. The negotiations were challenging but never became an ‘us versus them.’ We remained focused on supporting the administrative employees, supervisors, and managers who work to keep AC Transit moving every day. This agreement demonstrates what ‘One East Bay. One AC Transit’ looks like in action,” says General Manager Sal Llamas.

Among the 2.5-year agreement’s key provisions are wage increases designed to help employees keep pace with inflation, with 3 percent increases in the current fiscal year, FY 2027–28, and FY 2028–29. The agreement also includes an on-call pay adjustment that helps ensure qualified employees are ready to respond when the unexpected happens.

The newly ratified CBA helps AC Transit retain the skilled employees who keep our service moving safely and reliably. That workforce stability is particularly important as the Transit District manages an estimated $200 million in projected deficits over the next four years. By helping reduce turnover and providing greater certainty around labor costs, the CBA gives AC Transit a more predictable foundation for planning as it works toward long-term financial sustainability.

“Our members help power innovative trip-planning tools, coordinate bus assignments and running times, monitor service disruptions and emergencies on the road, and perform countless other essential functions that our riders may never see. Reaching this contract agreement and the vote shows the Transit District recognizes the value we bring to work every day,” said Gideon Murey, AFSCME Local 3916 President.

Beyond compensation, the agreement strengthens employees’ voice in the workplace. It expands the Labor Management Committee (LMC), giving Local 3916 a greater role in providing recommendations on the Transit District’s use of contract workers. In addition, the agreement introduces new illuminated safety equipment, providing greater visibility and protection for employees working around moving buses, traffic, maintenance equipment, and in low-light conditions.

Now that AFSCME Local 3916 members have ratified the agreement, it advances to the AC Transit Board of Directors for consideration and final approval.

Source: AFSCME Council 57 Local 3916

About AC Transit

The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District, known as AC Transit, has been in operation since 1960 and is the largest public bus-only system in California, and the 3rd largest bus-only transit agency in the United States. Based out of Oakland, California and multiple facilities throughout Alameda and Contra-Costa counties, AC Transit makes bus service available to 1.5 million East Bay residents that populate our 364 square mile service area. AC Transit operates a fleet of 626 buses and 6 facilities and is moving forward its zero-emission program as funding becomes available. Currently, AC Transit connects to 14 transit agencies, 27 BART stations, seven Amtrak stations, and five ferry terminals.

It provides an average of nearly 135,000 daily passenger trips with 133 bus lines throughout the 364-square-mile service area. AC Transit provides safe, convenient, courteous, and reliable service in 13 cities and adjacent unincorporated areas as well as carrying almost 7,000 daily riders across the bay to San Francisco.

In 2023, the District was honored as the Outstanding Public Transportation System of the Year by the American Public Transportation Association. AC Transit’s mission is to deliver safe, reliable, sustainable transit service that responds to the needs of our customers and community.

About AFSCME Council 57

AFSCME fights to promote freedom and opportunity for all working people wherever, and whoever, they are. For public service workers, we negotiate better pay and benefits because fighting for every member’s future is a form of respect. We inform people about the issues that keep all working families up at night because informed advocates command respect. That’s how we win better lives for ourselves, our families, our communities and our country. These are the things we will never quit fighting for.

AFSCME Council 57 is comprised of 26 local unions representing 35,000 members throughout Northern California and the Central Valley including Local 3916. Established in 1963, the Council was formed as a progressive, member-driven labor organization dedicated to empowering and securing dignity and respect for all workers. We work together to improve wages, benefits and working conditions through organizing, collective bargaining and political action. We represent workers in schools and community colleges, transit agencies, public works and services, clinics and hospitals, and water and wastewater facilities. Our members are also the health and social service professionals in corrections facilities across California.

We support our local unions by:

  • Providing resources, training and professional services
  • Fighting for economic and social justice
  • Raising awareness on issues that affect working families
  • Empowering members in representation and bargaining
  • Mobilizing workers to participate in the political process
  • Sharing effective communication and resources
  • Organizing unorganized workers

We also partner with other labor organizations, service providers, consumers, the faith community and community-based organizations to:

  • ensure the health and vitality of working families and their communities
  • seek solutions to critical issues like the healthcare and mental health crisis as well as climate change
  • raise awareness of wasteful contracting out of public services
  • stop attacks on public sector workers
  • fix California’s inequitable tax policies

Council 57 is affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, a democratic union with 1.4 million members who share a common commitment to public service in our communities. We also encourage our locals to affiliate with their local arm of the AFL-CIO, the Central Labor Council.

For more information visit https://afscme57.org/locals/afscme-local-3916.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Overnight full closure of El Cerro Blvd. on-ramp to southbound I-680 in Danville Oct. 9-10

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Source: Caltrans District 4

Beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, until 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10

By DeNise Harding – Public Information Officer- Contra Costa County

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY — Caltrans has updated the scheduled closures for sound wall replacement on El Cerro Boulevard along southbound I-680 in the Town of Danville. The agency will fully close the El Cerro Boulevard on-ramp to southbound I-680 and Lane 4 between the El Cerro Boulevard on- and off-ramps. To search for current District 4 lane closure information, please click here.

**All work is weather dependent and subject to change**

Closure Information

  • Locations: Lane #4 on Southbound I-680 and El Cerro Boulevard on-ramp to southbound I-680-Closed
  • Date: Friday, Oct.9 – Saturday, Oct. 10,
  • Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.,

Detour Information

During the overnight closure of the El Cerro Boulevard on ramp and Lane #4:

  • Motorists traveling to southbound I-680 should use alternate nearby on-ramps, including Stone Valley Road or Sycamore Valley Road, as appropriate.
  • Prepare to merge and slow for the cone zone.

Changeable Message Signs (CMS) will provide advance notice for motorists traveling in the area. Be work zone alert, drive with caution through the work zone. For 24/7 traffic updates, follow 511.org on Twitter. For real-time traffic, visit Caltrans QuickMap.

Caltrans appreciates the public’s patience during this essential safety work.

For real-time traffic conditions, closures, and detours, visit Caltrans QuickMap or follow 511.org for 24/7 traffic updates.

250+ candidates across 9 county Bay Area share their transportation values in lead up to November election

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By Kaleo Mark, Community Organizer, Seamless Bay Area

Bay Area – A coalition of 28 transit, bike, disability, and street safety advocates from around the Bay Area published the responses from over 250 candidates for local, state, and federal office in our “Bay Area Transportation Candidate Questionnaire” which the public can view here.

The questionnaire responses will help voters across the Bay Area make more informed decisions about the candidates who, if elected, will be positioned to significantly determine the future of how Bay Area residents get around. Candidates shared their perspectives on designing our streets to be safer for all, making transit a more desirable option, and addressing the transportation sector’s role in climate change.

How we get around and the barriers we face in that process affect nearly every aspect of our lives like housing, healthcare, economic development, safety, education, and much more.

“Local elected officials play critical roles on local regional transportation bodies and boards around the Bay Area and are influential in transit ballot funding campaigns. It is essential for people running for office to know the issues, and to understand that there is an active constituency who care about transit and active transportation and consider these issues in voting,” said Adina Levin, Executive Director at Seamless Bay Area.

2026 is an especially important year for Bay Area public transit, with voters casting their votes on two ballot measures that will determine the future of our region’s transit: Measure RTM across Contra Costa, Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties and Prop H in San Francisco.

Top candidates in high-profile races across the Bay Area responded to this questionnaire, including:

Region-wide

  • 22 responses from mayoral candidates running in Richmond, Alameda, Dublin, Hayward, Oakland, Santa Clara, Fairfield, and more.
  • Responses from City Council candidates running in 74 different cities across the Bay Area.

East Bay

  • Aisha Wahab in the 14th Congressional District race.
  • Scott Sakakihara and Linda Price in the State Senate District 10 race in the East and South Bay to replace Senator Aisha Wahab.
  • Adriana Valencia in AC Transit Ward 3 race.
  • 80 candidates for City Council races across Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

The “Bay Area Transportation Candidate Questionnaire” in the 2026 November General Election was led by a coalition of 28 organizations throughout the region including Seamless Bay Area, Transbay Coalition, Bike East Bay, Bike Hayward, BikeWalk Castro Valley, Community Resources for Independent Living, East Bay for Everyone, East Bay Transit Riders Union, El Cerrito/Richmond Annex Walk & Roll, Fremont for Everyone, Friends of Caltrain, Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County, Move California, Move San Mateo, North Bay Transit Riders, Palo Alto Forward, San Antonio Station Alliance, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, San Francisco Transit Riders, Santa Clara County for Transit, Senior and Disability Action, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, Sustainable Marin, Traffic Violence Rapid Response, Transform, Walk Bike Berkeley, Walk Bike Walnut Creek, and Walk Oakland Bike Oakland.

Source: Seamless Bay Area

Co-Sponsor’s Quotes 

“When it comes to how we get to where we’re going, and the options we have for how we get around, our local, county, and state elected officials have a massive impact.” said Carter Lavin, co-founder of Transbay Coalition. “Now more than ever, local electeds can make a big difference on things like whether or not it is safe to cross your street, or if your bus is on time, or even if there is a bus going where you want to go. Although candidates rarely lead with their transportation policies, transportation impacts every voter every day so voters deserve to know where candidates stand on the issue.”

“The Bay Area’s elected officials will have a critical role to play in saving public transit. Our transportation systems are at a tipping point, with many facing huge deficits. Therefore, it’s important now more than ever to elect leaders at all levels who will support a sustainable and equitable funding solution for our vital transit providers,” said Abibat Rahman-Davies, Transportation Policy Manager for Transform.

“Persons with disabilities depend on public transportation for everything from going to the doctor to going to work in the morning! Finding out how candidates stand on transit is vital to our very existence!” said Warren Cushman, Community Organizer at Community Resources for Independent Living.

“Transit service is the lifeblood of a community – it allows economic, social and educational opportunities for everyone,” said Abigail Zoger, a professor and lead at North Bay Transit Riders. “In Marin and Sonoma, the lack of night service means the community college evening classes are inaccessible to many. One student reported missing the last bus and having to walk 4 hours home at night.”

“Over the past year, San Francisco Transit Riders has mobilized thousands of voters to speak up and demand sustainable solutions from their elected officials to fund and improve public transportation,” said Dylan Fabris, Community and Policy Director at San Francisco Transit Riders. “San Franciscans depend on public transportation so it is important for them to know how their candidates shape up on the transportation issues that affect their lives every day.”

“Bike East Bay believes in a transportation future where owning and maintaining a car is not a prerequisite to moving around the East Bay with freedom. We want to see a system that is safer, cleaner, and more seamlessly integrated than what currently exists,” said Justin Hu-Nguyen, Executive Co-Director of Mobility Justice at Bike East Bay.

“With the future of reliable transit and e-bike access on the line, California’s chance at achieving climate goals has never been more dire. Before we vote, we must know that incoming elected officials will not just support transit, biking, and walking, they will fight for it. An affordable, equitable Bay Area with clean air depends on it,” said Amy Thomson, Policy Director at Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition.

“A strong public transportation system is a crucial component in making biking and rolling safe, convenient and welcoming to everyone in San Francisco,” says Rachel Clyde, senior community organizer for the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. “We need leaders who will champion innovative solutions for improving all forms of sustainable transportation in our communities.”

“Public transit massively extends the range of the bicycle. We need robust public transit in order to efficiently traverse the Bay Area with the powerful combination of bike and public transit,” said Bruce Dughi, co-founder of BikeWalk Castro Valley.

About Seamless Bay Area

Seamless Bay Area is a public transportation advocacy group working to transform the Bay Area’s public transit into a world-class, unified, equitable, and widely-used system by building a diverse movement for change and promoting policy reforms. More at seamlessbayarea.org.

Caltrans QuickMap free mobile app provides real‑time traffic, road and safety information

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Source: Caltrans

By Caltrans

The Caltrans QuickMap is a free mobile app from the California Department of Transportation that delivers real‑time traffic, road, and safety information directly from Caltrans, helping drivers plan trips, avoid delays, and stay informed on the road App Store.

What the app offers

The QuickMap app layers multiple live data sources onto a map, including App Store+1:

  • Freeway speeds and congestion (color‑coded lines; green = normal, red = slow)
  • Live traffic cameras and snapshots
  • Lane closures and CHP incidents
  • Chain controls and snow plows
  • Changeable message signs (CMS) content
  • Border wait times
  • Safety roadside rest areas and Park & Ride lots
  • Commercial vehicle info: weigh stations, escape ramps, overweight corridors, and California Truck Network routes

Key features

  • Auto‑refresh: Updates data every 3 minutes (adjustable in settings) App Store
  • Manual refresh: Available via the refresh button on the map
  • Geotargeted notifications: Optional push alerts for road closures near your location, even when the app is closed (requires background location; may impact battery life) App Store
  • Layer controls: Toggle on/off different data layers via the app’s menu QuickMap

How it works

The app uses Caltrans data plus other sources (e.g., Google Maps Traffic Layer, Automated Vehicle Location, cellular data) to provide speed and condition information QuickMap. Clicking a map marker shows detailed info in a pop‑up.

Access and support

Tip: Enable geotargeted notifications if you want alerts for closures near you, but be aware of the battery impact App Store. This makes QuickMap a useful “know before you go” tool for both urban and rural California travel.

Caldecott Tunnel overnight closures begin Oct. 5

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For Bores 1, 2, and 3 Rehabilitation and Ventilation Upgrade

10 PM–4:30 AM

By Caltrans

Caltrans is rehabilitating the Caldecott Tunnel Bores 1, 2 and 3 on State Route 24 between Orinda and Oakland to preserve the structural integrity of the tunnel, improve ventilation performance and firefighting operational response, and extend its service life.

The project rehabilitation scope includes, removing, and repairing cracks in the concrete, addressing rust and fixing water damage in tunnel walls and ceilings. Construction will also make improvements to the electrical and lighting systems within the tunnel. The fire safety aspect of the project includes installing new jet fans for tunnel ventilation and sprinkler system as fire suppression.

The $267 million project is made possible through federal and state funding, Gov. Newsom announced in late August.

Because the older tunnels are considered historical, the project required a Memorandum of Understanding between Caltrans and the California State Historic Preservation Officer regarding the “Programmatic Agreement among the Federal Highway Administration, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the California State Historic Preservation Officer, the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ Sacramento District, San Francisco District and Los Angeles District, and the California Department of Transportation regarding compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act as it pertains to the administration of the Federal-Aid Highway Program in California.” It also required consultation with Native American Tribes in the Bay Area.

Closures

The bores will be closed from 10 PM to 4:30 AM on the following days beginning Monday night:

  • EB Bore #2 Oct. 5 & 12
  • EB Bore #1 Oct. 6 & 13
  • WB Bore #3 Oct. 7

At least one bore in each direction will remain OPEN.

Photo: Caltrans

Purpose and Need

The purpose of this project is to preserve the structural integrity of the tunnel, improve ventilation performance and firefighting operational response, and extend its service life. The project is needed because Headquarters Structure Maintenance and Investigation (SM&I) and District 4 identified deficiencies during inspection and concluded that the three bores required upgrades. If not addressed, the deficiencies would trigger more frequent maintenance and lead to more extensive repairs in the future. An independent consultant, WSP, was tasked by the Division of Engineering Services (DES) and District 4 to perform a risk analysis exploring the ventilation capacities of the Complex Tunnel/Tubes within the State of California to address smoke from vehicle fires of current commercial vehicles. The risk analysis concluded that Caldecott Tunnel Bores 1, 2, and 3 are of the top risk priority in the State and recommended ventilation upgrades.

Project Details

  • Draft Environmental Document (DED): January 6, 2025
  • Project Approval and Environmental Document (PA&ED): June 27, 2025
  • Plans, Specifications, and Estimate (PS&E): June 30, 2026
  • Ready to List (RTL): June 30, 2026
  • CTC Funding Allocation: August 21, 2026
  • Construction Award: September 2026
  • Construction Start: Fall 2026
  • Construction End: Fall 2029 (Tentative)
  • Project Funding: SB1 SHOPP, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)

More details at Caldecott Tunnel Bores 1, 2, and 3 Rehabilitation and Ventilation Upgrade | Caltrans.

Sign up for Caldecott Tunnel updates at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/…/CaldecottTunnel

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Gov. Newsom announces $2.7 billion for 150+ projects to expand and make state’s transportation system more resilient

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Source: Caltrans

Includes funds for 3-bore Caldecott Tunnel ventilation systems rehabilitation and upgrade project, adding 2 lanes to Hwy 237 in Sonoma County

By Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom announced on August 28, 2026, $2.7 billion in funding for more than 150 new projects designed to improve travel times, expand travel options beyond driving, and strengthen the state’s transportation infrastructure assets against severe weather and other climate-driven threats.

From stronger infrastructure to expanded transit access, the investments advance the Governor’s Build More, Faster — For All agenda while helping California prepare for a changing climate and keep people and goods moving.

California is building a transportation system ready for the future — one that can withstand extreme weather, give people more ways to get where they need to go, and keep our economy moving.  While Donald Trump is taking America’s transportation future backward, we are moving forward by creating jobs, modernizing infrastructure and building a more resilient California for generations to come.

– Governor Gavin Newsom

The projects build on California’s unprecedented state and federal transportation investments, including funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Joe Biden, which continues to deliver projects, jobs and upgrades in communities across the state.

Since 2019, the Newsom administration has allocated more than $81.1 billion to transportation projects across California, supporting the creation of more than 800,000 jobs.

“These investments fuel the state’s mission to deliver a transportation system that is evolving and continuing to serve all Californians, regardless of their travel mode,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “The action taken supports Governor Newsom’s vision to improve the state’s infrastructure and further prepare and equip us against the current and future effects of climate change.”

Build more, Faster — For All

This latest $2.7 billion transportation investment brings California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocations under the Newsom administration to approximately $81.1 billion to date. Of the combined total, nearly $1.6 billion is funded by President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) and another $542 million from California’s Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

“This slate of projects builds on our goals to create and maintain a safer transportation network that addresses current needs and also prioritizes long-term objectives,” said Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy.

“These investments support a transportation system that meets the diverse needs of communities throughout California,” said California Transportation Commission Chair Clarissa Falcon. “By improving safety, strengthening resilience, and expanding transportation options, these projects will deliver lasting benefits for Californians.”

Notable project investments

  • Caldecott Tunnel in Orinda – $267 million to rehabilitate and upgrade the ventilation systems of three of the four bores that make up the tunnel. The project replaces the tunnel’s structural pavement, upgrades drainage and underdrain systems, and improves electrical systems to sustainable LED lighting. Construction begins Oct. 5th. Read more about the improvements to Bores One, Two and Three, here.

State Route 37: Sears Point to Mare Island Improvement Project map. Source: Caltrans

  • State Route 37 Project – $63 million to add two new High Occupancy Vehicle lanes to State Route 37 in Sonoma County between Sears Point and Mare Island to improve traffic flow during peak travel times. Phase 1 of the Sears Point-to-Mare Island Improvement Project will include upgrades to the Sears Point interchange between highways 37 and 121 in Sonoma County; a roughly one-mile extension of the eastbound Highway 37 merge lane; and replacement of the existing 60-foot-long bridge over Tolay Creek with a higher, 375-foot-long span that will promote better tidal flow between San Pablo Bay and the historic Sonoma Baylands north of the highway. Later phases of the Sears Point-to-Mare Island improvements will include the addition of another travel lane in each direction as well as work to restore critical marshlands that protect the route from rising waters. Schedule: Environmental Phase Completed February 8, 2023; Complete Design – Summer 2026; Begin Construction – Spring 2027; and End Construction – Fall 2029. Read more about the Highway 37 improvement projects, here and here.
  • Safe Route to School – $1.8 million to install warning beacons, signs and ADA ramps at several uncontrolled multi-lane crosswalks for a new Safe Route to School project in the community of Oildale in east Bakersfield.
  • 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure improvements – $2.45 million to add infrastructure improvements, and safety upgrades to four transit stations in Los Angeles County in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics. Improvements to the 7th Street/Metro Center, Norwalk, Union Station, and Harbor Gateway stations include new wayfinding, lighting, security, passenger amenities and landscaping.
  • Wildlife Crossing in Dunsmuir – $76.5 million to install a wildlife crossing and fencing along Interstate 5 near Dunsmuir in Shasta County. The project will also upgrade pavement, guardrails, signs and drainage systems.
  • Eel River Fish Passage – $33.5 million for three projects to improve fish passage by removing current barriers, replacing culverts with concrete bridge structures, and reducing sediment loads on the South Fork of the Eel River near State Route 1 in Humboldt County.

California has invested approximately $21.5 billion in infrastructure projects since IIJA’s passage, creating nearly 280,000 jobs. Those dollars are leveraged along with SB 1, which invests an estimated $5 billion annually, split between state and local investments. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1.

California’s transportation leadership

Under Governor Newsom, California has built one of the most ambitious transportation agendas in the nation — making historic investments in roads, bridges, rail and transit while accelerating the transition to cleaner, safer and more resilient transportation.

  • California State Transportation Agency oversees more than $12 billion in annual transportation funding across eight state agencies — delivering roads, bridges, rail, transit, and zero-emission infrastructure to every corner of the state.
  • California Transportation Commission allocates an additional $10 billion annually for transportation projects. The Commission works with local, regional, and state partners to direct funding where it can have the greatest impact, supporting projects that improve mobility, strengthen the economy, reduce congestion, and make the transportation system more resilient to climate change and extreme weather.
  • California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) designs, builds, and maintains California’s transportation system, including more than 50,000 miles of highway. Recently, Caltrans launched Traffic Mobility Insights, an AI-powered platform that unifies seven statewide traffic systems, refreshes highway bottleneck detection every 25 minutes, and can generate emergency evacuation routes in minutes during wildfires or earthquakes.
  • California’s High-Speed Rail Authority is advancing daily with 171 miles currently under design and construction from Merced to Bakersfield, more than 90 miles of guideway complete, and 463 miles of the 494-mile San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim system fully environmentally cleared and construction-ready. The project has created nearly 19,200 good-paying construction jobs, most filled by Central Valley residents, and generated nearly $27 billion in economic impact statewide. Up to 1,700 workers report to high-speed rail construction sites every day.

California is also making zero-emission vehicles more accessible to consumers. In January, the state surpassed 2.5 million cumulative zero-emission vehicle sales, far exceeding its original goal of 1.5 million ZEVs by 2025. And now, California is putting money directly in the pockets of consumers: Governor Newsom recently launched $3,500 instant discounts for Californians purchasing their first new zero-emission vehicle, with the discount applied immediately at participating dealers.

California is extending that transformation across every mode of transportation. Last September, San Bernardino County made history by welcoming the first hydrogen-powered passenger train into revenue service in North America. In May, Governor Newsom launched a $1 billion rebate program for electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks, and in April 2025, announced $500 million for 1,000 clean school buses statewide. Demand for zero-emission bus and truck incentives has more than doubled year-over-year.

Governor Newsom’s Build More, Faster — For All infrastructure agenda has driven historic investments in transportation that will benefit all Californians for decades to come. More than 29,000 California infrastructure projects are tracked at build.ca.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.