The 10th Congressional District is a major transportation corridor, connecting the Bay Area to the Central Valley and the nation. Congestion on the freeways and railways plagues the region, delaying commuters, wasting time and fuel, and adding to air and atmospheric pollution. As your Congressman I will seek a seat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and pry money out of Congress to expand public transportation systems and improve highways that serve the Solano, Contra Costa, and Livermore areas. We only get 92 cents back for every gas tax dollar we send to Washington, and I will fight for a fairer share. Also, the current federal stimulus money must be spent wisely and immediately. Here are some of the projects that are on your and my priority lists for immediate action.
Cordelia Junction: The I-80/680/12 junction must be improved. As I travel I-80 I am always stalled at this junction, and I know you are too. I will fight to secure the funding that is required to build a modern interchange.
Vasco Road: Too many area residents are killed along Vasco Road every year. I will fight for funding to create the safety improvements required.
Caldecott Tunnel: It’s been over 40 years since a new bore was built at the Caldecott Tunnel, and it’s long past time that we keep pace with demand. We must secure and preserve the necessary funding for the fourth bore project.
HOV and HOT Lane expansion: I support regional efforts to integrate and expand carpool and high occupancy lanes including the new HOV toll (HOT) lanes. I take Highway 4 to and from home and I can count on an extra 20 minutes during commute hours on the Pittsburg / Antioch stretch of the highway. It must be widened with a HOV / HOT lane included. This is on my priority list and yours too. See my article on the use of HOT lanes: Regional Rapid Bus Transit Requires HOT Thinking.
Integrating Regional Bus Transit: The 10th Congressional District has numerous transit and bus systems that provide services to most communities, however there needs to be better coordination between the systems and more services for seniors. As I work to expand public transportation funding, I will work with local, state, and federal officials to integrate all our forms of public transportation into a more interconnected system, and I will fight for funding from Washington to improve our services for seniors.
BART: BART is a key to public transportation, moving 335,000 riders each day. It is a critical part of the transportation system for the 10th Congressional District. Expansion of the system east to Livermore and Antioch is my priority. The residents of these communities have been paying for the system for decades and have not had direct service. It is past time for the extensions. I will use my relationships in Washington to advance these projects.
Capitol Corridor and Altamont Commuter Express (ACE): Amtrak and the ACE rail system are another critical element in transportation to and through the district. Current funding for these systems is inadequate even though they have some of the highest ridership in the nation. It’s long past time for Congress to recognize that rail service requires consistent support both for operations and for capital improvement. I will fight in Congress to obtain sufficient funding for Amtrak’s service on the Capitol Corridor and the San Joaquin lines, and upgrades for the ACE system.
Transit Villages/Livable Communities: The future of residential development in California must emphasize mixed-zoning livable communities where it is possible to live, work, and play in the same area. The best way to get residents out of their cars is to, whenever possible, remove the need to commute. The eastward expansion of BART provides us with an opportunity to put these goals into action, and I will fight for federal housing grants to help establish transit villages at the numerous stations in the district.
Bicycling: The 10th Congressional District is home to gorgeous waterfronts, scenic rolling hills, and charming communities large and small. Biking provides a fun way to experience all that our district has to offer, and it is healthy for mind, body, and planet. To encourage area residents to embrace more biking when commuting and traveling, I will work for an expansion of bike paths and bike lanes in the district, including extending the Iron Horse Trail to Livermore.
