Contra Costa Herald

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

Sen. Glazer explains vote against transportation bill, gas tax hike

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Cites failure to ensure reliable transit & ineffective use of funds

Senator Steve Glazer (D-Orinda) who represents most of Contra Costa County in the California State Senate, issued the following statement today, regarding his vote against SB-1, the transportation funding bill which included a 12 cents per gallon gas tax increase, as well as increases to the Vehicle License Fee. He was the only Democrat in the Senate and only one of two in the entire legislature to vote no.

“I want to thank Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León, Sen. Jim Beall and Gov. Jerry Brown for their hard work in addressing the problem of crumbling roads and aging transportation systems.

My constituents are particularly dependent on good roads and highways and reliable transit systems, so I agree we need additional transportation investments.

But this transportation package did not have the support of my district, for good reasons. Even after a multi-million dollar lobbying effort supporting the $52 billion bill, sentiment in my district ran two-to-one opposing these new gas taxes and car registration fees.

My constituents have told me loud and clear that they want any new taxes to be spent more wisely and effectively. For instance, it doesn’t make sense to spend billions of dollars on an unpopular High Speed Rail system that backers claim might be completed by 2029 when it could go for transportation improvements today.

Beyond the issues of setting better spending priorities and taxes, I also believed this bill could have been improved. We need to be more forward thinking, where we recognize the role technology can play in allowing us to use our roads and highways more efficiently.

And we need a plan that provides commuters with the confidence and assurance that reliable transit will be there for them every day of the year.

This bill also failed to ensure that any new transportation funding given to local transportation agencies be used only for the purposes intended and not diverted to other uses.

I was also concerned about last-minute amendments to this bill that the environmental community and air quality regulators say will unwisely limit our ability to control diesel pollution from trucks. These changes have never been fully vetted and deserve more scrutiny.

I look forward to continued discussions with the governor in which we take into account the need to modernize our approach to transportation in an efficient and reliable manner.”

The bill passed both the State Senate and Assembly and awaits the signature of Governor Brown. To learn more about the bill, click here.

County issues $100 million in bonds; Morgan Territory Road repairs to cost at least $2 million

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Supervisors to hear ban on juvenile hall residential fees

By Daniel Borsuk

Contra Costa County has closed a $99,810,000 lease revenue bond transaction as a result of an innovative agreement with Wells Fargo Bank.  The transaction closed on Friday, March 3.

Some $9.7 million will fund capital improvement projects within the county’s health services department, including its hospital and clinic system.  The remaining $90.1 million will be used to refinance existing county bond debt at historically low interest rates.  Ultimately, the county and Wells Fargo negotiated a 10-year term at an interest rate of 2.33%.  This will save taxpayers more than $9.1 million in today’s dollars.

“The county’s ‘AAA’ bond rating through Standard and Poor’s has allowed us to take full advantage of the low interest rate environment and maximize cost savings for our taxpayers,” board chair Federal Glover said.  “Ultimately, this means more tax dollars are available to provide services to our residents.”

“Through the strong leadership of the board of supervisors and assistance of our employees, the county has been able to emerge from the Great Recession on a sound financial footing,” County Administrator David Twa said. “The willingness of Wells Fargo to purchase close to $100 million of our bonds at such a favorable interest rate is evidence of that.”

Contra Costa County is rated “AAA” by Standard and Poor’s and “Aa2” by Moody’s Investor Service. Both credit rating agencies have attributed their high ratings for Contra Costa County to very strong financial management, with policies and practices well-embedded in county operations.  They have also pointed to a strong local economy with a large, diverse tax base.”

Morgan Territory Road Repair Resolution

The County Public Works Department received its marching orders from the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, when they passed a resolution calling for the “expeditious” repair and reopening of storm-damaged Morgan Territory Road.

The board voted 4-0 in adopting the resolution introduced by Supervisor Diane Burgis of Brentwood.  Supervisor Candace Anderson of Danville was absent.

County Public Works Directors Julia Bueren told the Contra Costa Herald preliminary repair costs for Morgan Territory Road that was destroyed by rain-soaked landslides during late January’s torrential rainstorms, could cost $2 million to $2.6 million in state emergency funds.

“Even that is a preliminary estimate,” Bueren said.  “This is a large and complex slide.”

The February torrential rainstorms damaged the road when the hillside slid onto the thoroughfare, causing mounds of dirt 100 high and 300 feet wide.

The massive landslides also caused the disruption of water and PG&E service to residents living in the area.

Supervisors recognized Ruben Aguilar (left) and Michael Stevens (right) for their 56 years of combined service with the county Public Works Department. Photo by Daniel Borsuk

Bueren said the county is studying three alternate routes for up to 1,000 residents living in the area of the damaged roadway.  “This is of the highest priority,” she added.

Supervisor Burgis said Morgan Territory Road is subject to additional destruction.

“There is a hillside that is still moving,” she said.

Board Vice Chair Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill noted Morgan Territory Road residents are still living under difficult conditions.

“The Contra Costa Water District couldn’t get water there for seven days so they began to provide bottled water,” she said.

Glover credited the various county departments, including the Sheriff’s Department, Public Works, Contra Costa Fire, and San Ramon Fire that worked together during the Morgan Territory Road disaster.

“The county was doing what it does best, acting as a team,” he added. Also at the meeting, the Supervisors recognized Ruben Aguilar and Michael Stevens for their 56 years of combines service with the Public Works Department. Aguilar has 36 years with the department and Stevens has 20 years of service. Both men responded to the initial closure of Morgan Territory Road when it was damaged in the storm in late January.

Ban Proposed on Juvenile Hall Residential Fees

A Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors committee voted on Monday to recommend to the full board that a permanent moratorium be imposed on charging residential fees for incarcerated juveniles.

Citing financial hardships on parents of youths held as wards of the county at either the Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility in Oakley and Juvenile Hall in Martinez, the Public Safety Committee directed the Probation Department and County Administrator to bring before the full board by May a resolution to stop the practice of charging fees to juvenile residents.

The Probation Department first began assessing the fee in 2003 at a rate of $17.03 per day per minor until 2010 when the state permitted counties to increase the fee to $30 a day.  The state passed legislation so counties could assess fees in order to recover costs for the actual cost of care of a minor in detention at a juvenile hall facility.

But the increasing fees made it difficult for the county to recoup costs from parents or guardians of juveniles held in county facilities.  The Probation Department has $16.9 million in accounts receivable outstanding through June 30, 2016, David Twa, County Administrator noted in a report presented to the committee.  He attributed $8.55 million to Juvenile Fees and $8.34 million to Public Defender fees.

If the full board adopts the committee’s recommendation to make the moratorium permanent, the county will join Alameda, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and Kern counties that do not assess juvenile hall fees.

“These fees cause great economic burden on families of juveniles incarcerated in our facilities,” Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond said.

“At some time we had to put an end to collecting these fees,” said Glover, the committee chairman.

Information in Twa’s report revealed flaws in the way the county assessed the juvenile hall fees.  There are cases where an undisclosed number of families are due refunds because of being overcharged as far back as 2011.

“Families were improperly assessed and billed,” said Rebecca Brown, president of the nonprofit organization Further The Work.  Brown said the financial impact of these juvenile hall housing fees charged leave have a big financial impact on the families of youths incarcerated in county juvenile hall facilities.

“Earlier efforts to remedy these financial problems were impossible to accomplish,” she said.

Storm Update: County preparing for next storm surge

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Morgan Territory Road open to local traffic only, expected to reopen Feb. 23; Alhambra Valley Road remains closed

Contra Costa County Public Works crews have been working steadily during the break in the rain to clear mud-covered roads and make repairs where flood and storm damage caused problems.  On Thursday, January 26, the Board of Supervisors ratified a proclamation of local emergency stemming from storm damage that took place during the first two weeks of January.  High winds coupled with continued rains over a short timeframe led to an estimated $18 million in damage in a number of unincorporated areas of the County, within our cities, and at water, park and sanitation district facilities.  The proclamation, along with the State’s declaration of a State of Emergency, will put the County and local jurisdictions in line for potential recovery funding.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA,) and the State Office of Emergency Services have made site visits throughout the County.  It will take several months for the County, working with State and Federal authorities, to get a more firm total on the damages and what costs can be covered.

Two road closures are still in effect in Contra Costa County:

  • Morgan Territory Road is closed between Marsh Creek Road and Manning Road. The road is open to local traffic and emergency vehicles only and is anticipated to reopen to through traffic on Thursday, February 23.
  • Alhambra Valley Road between Bear Creek and Castro Ranch Roads is closed indefinitely.

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors declared an emergency for the repair of Alhambra Valley Road washout and authorized the Public Works Director to proceed with emergency repairs. The emergency authorization allows the Public Works Department to expedite the repair of this road. The Board of Supervisors also adopted a new resolution to proclaim a local emergency arising out of the damage caused by the series of storms in January and February 2017. This allows the County to potentially seek funding relief for response and damage repairs for emergency responses to the continuing storms during this time period.

Alternate routes for closure of Alhambra Valley Road

With more rain expected late this week, this is a good time to prepare for the next wave, checking rain gutters and storm drains for blockage.  If you’re concerned about potential flooding at your home or business, it’s not too late to visit one of the sandbag stations located throughout the county.  Please note that you’ll need to bring a shovel, but bags and sand are available for free.   Find out details regarding County sandbag sites at www.cccounty.us/sandbags.

County Public Works Maintenance road crews maintain the storm drain inlets through a program of annual inspection and cleaning.  To report a clogged catch basin or drainage inlet please call the Public Works Maintenance Division at 925-313-7000 during work hours and after hours call Sheriff’s Dispatch at 925-646-2441.

Diablo Road closed due to fallen tree, Wednesday morning

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According to the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff,  Diablo Road between Green Valley Road and Mt. Diablo Scenic Boulevard remains closed after a fallen tree took down power lines and blocked the road early this morning. That section of Diablo Road is expected to be shut for much of today as repairs are made and the tree removed.

Local traffic will be diverted. Motorists heading to Blackhawk are advised to use Camino Tassajara.

County road closure update: Morgan Territory Road expected to reopen Thursday

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Morgan Territory Road is closed between Marsh Creek Road and Manning Road. The road is open to local traffic and emergency vehicles only and is anticipated to reopen to through traffic on Thursday, February 9.

Alhambra Valley Road between Bear Creek Road and Castro Ranch Roadremains closed indefinitely.Signs and message boards alert drivers of the closure. There is not an estimated timeframe for reopening Alhambra Valley Road at this time.

The amount of rain received has saturated the soil which makes it more difficult to remove the mudslides and clean the roadways. Crews are monitoring County roads during the storms and additional closures may be necessary for public safety. The County will continue to provide updates as conditions change.

If you’re concerned about flooding at your home or business, it’s not too late to visit one of the free sandbag stations located throughout the county.  Please note that you’ll need to bring a shovel, but bags and sand are available for free.   Find out details regarding County sandbag sites at www.cccounty.us/sandbags.

County Public Works Maintenance road crews maintain the storm drain inlets through a program of annual inspection and cleaning. To report a clogged catch basin or drainage inlet please call the Public Works Maintenance Division at 925-313-7000 during work hours and after hours call Sheriff’s Dispatch at 925-646-2441.

Southbound Rudgear Road on-ramp closed Mon & Tues nights, Jan 30 – Feb 1 for I-680 Express Lanes construction

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Summary

Upcoming construction activity for the Express Lanes on I-680 between Walnut Creek and San Ramon requires a temporary, nighttime ramp closure. The construction activity will include asphalt repair work for the on-ramp. The following ramp closure is scheduled:

Things to Know

Detour route for the southbound I-680 Rudgear Road on-ramp closure:

  • Enter northbound I-680 from Rudgear Rd.,
  • Continue on northbound I-680,
  • Exit on the Olympic Blvd. off-ramp,
  • Continue west on Olympic Blvd.,
  • Enter southbound I-680.

When traveling near the construction site:

  • Always use caution,
  • Be prepared to reduce speeds,
  • Follow posted signs.

Construction is a dynamic process and information is subject to change without notice. Work is subject to weather conditions.

For more information about the I-680 Express Lanes project between Walnut Creek and San Ramon, click here.

County Supervisors proclaim local emergency due to $18 million in road, other damage from storms

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Damage to Alhambra Valley Road between Bear Creek Road and Castro Ranch Road. courtesy of CCCSheriff

Marsh Creek, Alhambra Valley Roads still closed; cleanup continues

Alternate routes for closure of Alhambra Valley Road.

During a special meeting on Thursday, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors ratified a proclamation of local emergency stemming from storm damage that took place during the first two weeks of January.  High winds coupled with continued rains over a short timeframe led to an estimated $18 million in damage in a number of unincorporated areas of the County, within our cities, and at water, park and sanitation district facilities.  The proclamation, along with the State’s declaration of a State of Emergency on Monday, will put the County and local jurisdictions in line for potential recovery funding.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA,) is doing site visits throughout the state this week, along with the State Office of Emergency Services.  It will take several months for the County, working with State and Federal authorities, to get a more firm total on the damages and what costs can be covered.

At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Contra Costa County Supervisor Candace Andersen praised Public Works, the Sheriff and the Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services workers for their efforts to respond quickly to the storm’s impacts, noting that repairs are being made as quickly as possible.  Public Works Director Julie Bueren agreed, noting that months of work in advance by Public Works and Flood Control District staff helped to minimize the problems in the unincorporated area.  Two problem areas that were closed are now open:  Morgan Territory Road and McEwen Road.

Two major road closures are still in effect in Contra Costa County:

  • Marsh Creek Road between the Clayton city limits and Deer Valley Road
  • Alhambra Valley Road between Bear Creek and Castro Ranch Roads

Marsh Creek is open for local traffic only.  Caltrans and County officials are working jointly developing a plan to repair the sinkhole on Alhambra Valley Road.

With more rain expected next week, and the ground still very saturated from previous storms, you are encouraged to use any gaps in the rain to prepare for the next wave, checking rain gutters and storm drains for blockage.  If you’re concerned about flooding at your home or business, it’s not too late to visit one of the sandbag stations located throughout the county.  Please note that you’ll need to bring a shovel, but bags and sand are available for free.   Find out details regarding County sandbag sites at www.cccounty.us/sandbags.

County Public Works Maintenance road crews maintain the storm drain inlets through a program of annual inspection and cleaning. To report a clogged catch basin or drainage inlet please call the Public Works Maintenance Division at 925-313-7000 during work hours and after hours call Sheriff’s Dispatch at 925-646-2441.

Important phone numbers and webpages:

(925) 313-7000 Public Works Maintenance Division- For emergencies during normal business hours

(707) 551-4100 California Highway Patrol- For emergencies after hours

(925) 646-2441 Contra Costa County Sheriffs Dispatch- For emergencies after hours

http://www.cccounty.us/sandbags  – Contra Costa County Sandbag Locations

Construction begins on Richmond-San Rafael Bridge lane project

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Artist’s rendering of the planned bicycle/pedestrian path on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. courtesy of MTC.

Location and highlights of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge access improvements. Credit: Peter Beeler

The Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) has begun construction on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Access Improvement Project to ease traffic congestion, improve vehicle access to the bridge, and establish a bicycle/pedestrian path connecting Contra Costa and Marin counties.

This exciting project will employ an innovative approach for congestion relief by converting the existing eastbound shoulder to a third lane during evening commute hours. Electronic signs will be used to indicate when the third lane is open to eastbound motorists. After the third lane is completed (weather-permitting in late 2017), a bicycle/pedestrian path will be built on the upper deck to connect critical portions of the San Francisco Bay Trail.

Beginning this week, travelers will see the installation of temporary striping and barriers (k-rail) to protect construction workers along eastbound 580.

  • Shoulder Closures –The right shoulder of the eastbound Richmond San Rafael Bridge will be closed from 5am to 2pm daily during the week of Jan. 23. Both traffic lanes will remain open.
  • Nighttime Construction– Through Saturday morning, Jan. 28, temporary striping and barriers (k-rail) will be installed along both eastbound and westbound I-580 from Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Marin County to Castro Street in Contra Costa County. One lane will remain open at all times
  • Bicycle Shuttle By Request – Starting Thursday January 26, the existing bicycle access on 580 between Marine Street and Stenmark Drive in Richmond will no longer be available. In lieu of freeway access, a free shuttle with bike racks will be available from 7am to 7pm. PLEASE NOTE: The shuttle may take up to 20 minutes to arrive once called (510-715-1465). Cyclists will no longer have access to freeway shoulders.

During the week of Jan. 30:

  • Main Street Eastbound On / Off Ramp Closures – Temporary nighttime closures of the eastbound I-580 Main Street on- and off-ramps in San Rafael will occur. The San Quentin/Main Street off-ramp will be closed from 7pm to 6am; and the on-ramp will be closed from 9pm to 6am. Please see detour maps below.

February Nighttime Construction

  • Starting in February, the contractor will relocate a water main under Main Street between Francisco Blvd. and the eastbound I-580 on- and off-ramps. Construction will occur at night to minimize traffic impacts.

Notice: This information is based on the work plans submitted by the contractors which are subject to change for various reasons. For the most current information on all lane and ramp closures please check the web site shown below before beginning your travel.

You are receiving this e-mail as a courtesy from the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Access Improvement Project. We send out notifications when contractors on the project plan a lane closure or construction activity that may have an effect on traffic in the vicinity. If you no longer wish to receive these notifications, please respond to this e-mail and state that you would like to be removed from the distribution list.

For More Information

For more information or to see a video about the project, please click here. If you have additional questions about the project or construction updates, please call the project hotline at (510) 273-3640.

The Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Access Improvement Project is made possible by a partnership between BATA, Caltrans, the Contra Costa County Transportation Authority (CCTA), and the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM).

About the RSR Bridge:

Over the last 50 years, the Richmond San Rafael (RSR) Bridge has efficiently and effectively served Bay Area travelers while seeing a steady increase in daily vehicle use in recent years. From 2009 to 2014, the Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) across the bridge climbed from 70,000 to 80,000 representing a 14.3-percentage increase. The RSR Bridge Access Improvements will ease congestion by increasing vehicle capacity on the Bridge and providing a new route for non-motorized travelers.

 

GoMentum Station named National Proving Ground by U.S. Department of Transportation

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Contra Costa testing facility selected to be part of first-ever “Community of Practice” for automated vehicle technology

GoMentum Station was named one of ten federally designated automated vehicle proving grounds by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The announcement was made by U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on Thursday, January 19, who noted that the pilot sites were selected to encourage testing and information sharing around automated vehicle technologies, foster innovations that can safely transform personal and commercial mobility, expand capacity, and open new doors to disadvantaged people and communities. GoMentum Station was selected from more than 60 applicants to help advance the safe deployment of automated technology.

“We are honored to have been selected as part of this elite group of test facilities,” said Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) Executive Director Randell Iwasaki. “When we established GoMentum Station a little over two years ago with our partners, our goal was to make it the country’s premier secure test facility of autonomous and connected vehicle technology. To be selected as a federally designated proving grounds is a confirmation of the significant value our facility adds to the field and its role in redefining the next generation of transportation.”

“The designated proving grounds will collectively form a Community of Practice around safe testing and deployment,” said Secretary Foxx. “This group will openly share best practices for the safe conduct of testing and operations as they are developed, enabling the participants and the general public to learn at a faster rate and accelerating the pace of safe deployment.”

Each of the ten sites have a unique testing environment. Among the qualities that set GoMentum Station apart is being one of the largest, secure proving grounds in the United States, which enables partners to safely push their technology to its limits while testing at GoMentum Station.  Founded in 2014, GoMentum Station is located at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station, making Contra Costa County a center of cutting-edge transportation research. The innovative technology being explored at GoMentum Station will reinvent the ways we will move through our communities over the next 25 years and beyond.

Contra Costa’s autonomous and connected vehicle testing facility is built on a public/private partnership model, allowing the private sector space to innovate and test while providing the public sector with access to new technologies as they are being developed. The work being carried out at GoMentum Station facilitates informed policy, regulation and planning decisions around the technology.

“We are excited that there may be opportunities to potentially collaborate with other test facilities around the nation.  If we can coordinate on testing, we can eliminate redundant and duplicative testing, learn from one another and accelerate our ability to bring this transformative technology to market,” noted Iwasaki. “We hope this designation will be valuable to our partners and the public in helping to further this life-saving technology. We’re looking forward to working with USDOT on advancing this technology for a public good.”

About GoMentum Station

GoMentum Station in Concord, California is where the Contra Costa Transportation Authority leads and facilitates a collaborative partnership among multiple automobile manufacturers; original equipment manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers; communications suppliers; technology companies; researchers and academia; public agencies and other partners. At GoMentum Station, technology, innovation and commercialization will converge to define the next generation of transportation network infrastructure. More information about GoMentum Station is available at gomentumstation.net.

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. 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.

GoMentum Station in Concord announces new partnership with BestMile to advance driverless car project

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BestMile’s cloud-based computing platform will support and enhance efforts to solve the first-and-last mile challenge

GoMentum Station and BestMile announced a new partnership today to further the shared autonomous vehicle (SAV) pilot project aimed at addressing the first-and-last mile challenge in Contra Costa. BestMile will offer its cloud-based computing platform to support the operation and optimization of SAV fleets, including the full testing of EasyMile shuttles. The EasyMile shuttles arrived at GoMentum Station in September of 2016, and the pilot demonstration project with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority marks the first time EasyMile shuttles will be utilized in the United States. BestMile’s computing platform will not only allow the EasyMile shuttles to work more effectively together, it will facilitate the ability of riders to interface with the shuttles.

“GoMentum Station is putting Contra Costa and the Bay Area squarely at the center of the transportation technology revolution with this innovative project to address first and last mile transit accessibility challenges, which we hope will allow people to use transit and commuter rail more effectively and efficiently,” said Randy Iwasaki, Executive Director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA). “We are excited to leverage BestMile’s unique technology capabilities to incubate transportation solutions that will help further shared mobility.”

“We believe the future of mobility isn’t in autonomous vehicles themselves, but in what they can offer when they’re operated and managed collectively in an integrated ecosystem. It is an incredible opportunity for BestMile to be able to showcase its fleet optimization platform within the framework of this exciting project at GoMentum Station, Bishop Ranch and then hopefully expand to the Bay Area. It will allow passengers of SAVs to experience a truly optimized, sustainable and efficient SAV service. Ordering your own SAV will be only one click away thanks to the traveler app we are also providing as part of our platform” said Raphael Gindrat, CEO of BestMile.

BestMile has created the world’s first cloud platform for the operation and optimization of autonomous vehicle fleets, designed to support shared electric connected and automated mobility. Using cutting-edge algorithms, it sends optimized missions to vehicles and seamlessly handles planning, real-time automated dispatching, intelligent routing, and electrical energy management. Their first commercial project launched in June 2016 with Switzerland’s main transport operator, PostBus. The collaboration with GoMentum Station marks the first time BestMile’s technology will be incorporated into a project within the United States and aligns with BestMile’s mission to accelerate innovative autonomous transportation solutions for cities everywhere.

About GoMentum Station

GoMentum Station in Concord, California is where the Contra Costa Transportation Authority leads and facilitates a collaborative partnership among multiple automobile manufacturers; original equipment manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers; communications suppliers; technology companies; researchers and academia; public agencies and other partners. At GoMentum Station, technology, innovation and commercialization will converge to define the next generation of transportation network infrastructure. More information about GoMentum Station is available at gomentumstation.net.

About BestMile

BestMile is a Swiss company with offices in Lausanne (Switzerland), San Francisco (USA) and London (UK), developing distributed and highly scalable cloud technology leveraging the full potential of autonomous vehicles to tackle urban mobility challenges. By providing the first platform allowing for the intelligent operation and optimization of autonomous vehicle fleets, BestMile is revolutionizing mobility. It manages both scheduled trips and on-­demand service and is independent of any vehicle manufacturer, thus allowing customers to remotely manage heterogeneous fleets composed of autonomous vehicles of different types and brands. By using cutting-edge algorithms to handle planning, real-time automated dispatching, intelligent routing, and electrical energy management, BestMile is shaping “individual robots” into an intelligent, innovative and flexible mobility system. After launching its first commercial project with Switzerland’s main transport operator in June 2016, BestMile now has a foot in the US thanks to GoMentum Station, located in Contra Costa County. More information is available at www.bestmile.com.

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. 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.