CCTA gearing up for new transit tax this spring

The process is underway for county residents to vote on a new sales tax measure for transit projects in the March 2020 primary election.

The one-half of one percent tax would generate an additional $3.6 billion over 35 years for transportation improvements. Areas that would benefit include the State Route 242/Highway 4 area as well as Interstate 680/Highway 24.

Last month, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors endorsed the proposed tax. The county’s jurisdiction is the unincorporated areas.

Ten 10 other jurisdictions, including Clayton, have already approved the proposal from the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA).

“The new sales tax measure is needed to keep Contra Costa County moving and to create livable and sustainable communities,” CCTA stated in its recommendation.

The current proposal would amend Measure J, approved in 2009 and slated to generate $2.5 billion through 2034 for countywide transportation projects. If backed by voters in March, the new tax would take effect July 1, 2020, and continue through June 30, 2055.

In late August, CCTA began showing municipalities around the county how the proposed revenue would be spent. That includes new policies for road traffic safety and transit, efforts to reduce future congestion, manage the impacts of growth and expand alternatives to single-occupant vehicles.

Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of District 4 acknowledged that the measure is a supplement to the gas tax that helps fund transportation projects. “(It’s) looking at a new way of getting from point A to B,” she said.

Calling the measure “transformative,” Mitchoff said: “It is about changing our commuting habits.”
For example, she pointed to identifying models where bus service works and plying it to the county’s existing service, including putting more smaller buses on the roads and providing more frequent service.

While this measure is not about job development, Mitchoff said it is encouraging transportation around job centers so residents don’t have to commute outside the area.

The remaining 10 communities that are part of CCTA will weigh in by Oct. 22. The Concord City Council was expected to review it on Oct. 15 (after the Pioneer’s deadline).

CCTA will then take the matter back up and prepare to send it back to the supervisors to approve a ballot measure in November or December.

The funds are slated to target congestion relief on major county commute corridors and improve transportation at the local level in all communities. The plan calls for 54.6 percent for transit and alternative modes, 26.7 percent for local street and road projects and 18.7 percent for highway and freeway work.

The majority, $1.98 billion, is earmarked for transportation projects to protect environment and quality of life at the community level. Funding will be allocated for removing bottlenecks, improving traffic signal operations, installing traffic calming measures and making streetscape improvements that bolster access housing and jobs.

In addition, the money will address more walking paths on trails and biking lanes on streets; improved transportation accessibility for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities; spotlighting specific BART stations for cleaning and security; and free or reduced transit fares for youth and students.

The remaining $1.484 billion is designated to improve State Route 242, Highway 4 and the transit/BART corridor in East County ($705 million); modernize Interstate 680, Highway 24 and the transit/BART corridor ($536 million); and upgrade I-80 and I-580 (Richmond-San Rafael Bridge) and the transit/BART corridor ($243 million).

CCTA will pay the estimated cost of $1.5 million to place the measure on the ballot.

For more about the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, visit ccta.net