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Filed under: Marin
Good news though, they expect traffic to drop because the high gas prices, and failing economy.
Mark Prado
Article Launched: 05/14/2008 05:21:36 PM PDTThe hours of delay in the county grew 19 percent from 2006 to 2007, and southbound Highway 101 weekday mornings constituted the third-worst traffic jam in the Bay Area, according to a report released Wednesday by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the California Department of Transportation.
That will hardly come as a surprise to Marin drivers, who routinely get stuck on Highway 101 jams, in particular during the morning southbound commute in the northern part of the county.
But a $128 million project to close a 4.5-mile gap in the carpool lane between Lucky Drive in Corte Madera and North San Pedro Road in San Rafael could help. When finished in December, a carpool lane will run up and down Highway 101 in Marin.
“Once we have the continuous carpool lane in the county, there will be a dramatic improvement throughout the corridor,” said John Goodwin, a transportation commission spokesman.
But all that work – which is ongoing and causes lane shifts that slow motorists – is part of the reason for the growing delays.
“Any time there is construction you will see delays as well,” said Bijan Sartipi, Caltrans District 4 director.
The No. 3 ranking for the southbound 101 commute was up from No. 4 in 2006, according to the report’s ranking of worst commutes. The ranking was based on traffic
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measured from 6:05 to 9:55 a.m. between Rowland Boulevard in Novato and Interstate 580 in San Rafael.The northbound commute from 3:15 to 6:15 p.m. on Highway 101 between Seminary Drive in Mill Valley and central San Rafael was 12th worst. And the 3:20 to 6:30 p.m. northbound commute between De Long Avenue in Novato and San Antonio Road ranked 47th.
The report also showed that since 2003, the delays in Marin have increased 81 percent, the most of any Bay Area county.
“That’s why we are investing so much money in that corridor,” Sartipi said. “We have been seeing those numbers and want to close all those (carpool lane) gaps in that corridor.”
Marin commuters lost 11,200 hours a day sitting in traffic in 2007, according to the report, up from 9,400 in 2006. Overall, Bay Area congestion was up 12 percent, and 33 percent since 2003. The study measured congestion in terms of average speeds below 35 mph for 15 minutes or longer.
“Congestion does track employment,” said Scott Haggerty, vice chairman of the transportation commission. “As the Bay Area recovered from the dot-com bust, congestion has also been on the rise. The regional economy really picked up in 2004 and that trend has continued.”
But this year with gas prices rising and the economy ailing, congestion could ease, he said.
“It’s anecdotal, but I see fewer people on the roads,” Haggerty said.
Contact Mark Prado via e-mail at mprado@marinij.com
Some points here. It is unclear if the this part of the railroad was abandoned. NCRA says no it wasn’t. This part of the railroad was bought under different money, and thus can be rail banked, the rest can’t.
By CERENA JOHNSON, The Eureka Reporter
Published: May 14 2008, 11:44 PM
Category: Local NewsThe Arcata and Mad River Railroad Trail, or Annie and Mary Rail Trail, was the topic of a presentation at the North Coast Railroad Authority board of directors meeting at the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors’ chamber Wednesday.
The proposed Annie and Mary Trail would run from West End Road to Blue Lake.
Currently, there are no rails remaining in the area, only a number of wooden trestles.
John Murray, a member of Friends of the Annie and Mary Rail Trail, said the NCRA does not have a right to enter into an agreement with the city of Blue Lake to put in the trail, as the NCRA has the right-of-way for railroad purposes only.
Through rail banking, he said, the NCRA would abandon the railroad.
The railroad could be utilized for other purposes, also providing the NCRA with the ability bring the railroad back in the future.
“By rail banking, you give the locals the ability to make that choice,” Murray said.
Rail banking would require a manager to act as a holding company, with the right-of-way turned over to the manager, Murray said.
Murray proposed the NCRA temporarily act as the manager.
NCRA Director John Woolley said a previous board had already taken action on the matter.
While many expressed support for exploring the concept, some directors were concerned with the idea of the NCRA serving as manager of the line.
“I am extremely supportive of this,” said Director Tom MacDonald, but said he was concerned about NCRA acting as manager, and said Friends of Annie and Mary likely need an action as they are trying to raise funds.
Director Bernie Meyers said rail banking would be like putting the right-of-way into trust.
“We aren’t abandoning the line,” he said.
Legal Counsel Chris Neary said it is important to get a definition of exactly what interest the NCRA has in the property.
Staff will be working on bringing back an agenda item for action on the issue by July or August.
“We need their blessing,” Murray told The Eureka Reporter. Having a trail, he said, is a “quality of life issue.”
Jennifer Savage
Eye Scene Editor“What we’re talking about is trail with rail,” Class emphasized. He’s walked the proposed line – from the south end of South G Street to the Skate Park – with North Coast Railroad Authority representative John Woolley to determine where the width is adequate to maintain a minimal separation from the tracks. In the areas where a trail cannot run alongside the rail, the solution is what Class called a “rail bed” concept. “We’d clear the vegetation, lay down some filter fabric, put in a pervious walking surface, crushed rock, then a nice finish,” he explained.
The goal is to find an interim solution, Class continued, and enter into a working relationship with the NCRA.
When the rail comes back“When the rail comes back,” Class finished, the City will remove the rail bed, returning the tracks to their original purpose.
Woolley cautioned against early enthusiasm, however. “[The idea] hasn’t gone through any process yet,” he said. “There’s still some interest to have the rail extend into Arcata.” Although he couldn’t speak on behalf of the NCRA, he offered qualified support “as one individual supervisor.” The project “looks like a concept that may have validity,” he said. “When the rail would come back, there’s some alternate ways to move the trail.”
‘Screaming to happen’
Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District Commissioner Mike Wilson, elected to the Bay District largely on a trail platform, commended City staff for moving the project forward, especially in regards to the citizenry’s strong support for more trails linking Arcata and the greater Humboldt Bay region. “It’s been screaming to happen for a long time,” he said. And it will, “so long as NCRA can finally get on board with what the community’s been asking for.”
Coastal trail connection
Because this piece would be considered part of the California Coastal Trail, Class said, multiple agencies will likely be involved and hope for funding exists through the Coastal Conservancy. The California Coastal Trail is an imagined 1,200-mile trail stretching from Mexico to Oregon (more information at californiacoastaltrail.info).
Community members may comment on the proposed trail at the next NCRA meeting, Wednesday, May 14 at 10 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors’ Chambers, 825 Fifth St., Room 111, Eureka.
“It should be a really interesting meeting,” Class said.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Barely entered the hot season, and already worries about energy.
The power company has implemented a “critical peak pricing” period Thursday to encourage customers to cut use during the predicted hottest point of the heat spell.
Temperatures are climbing today and expected to soar above 100 degrees in the Bay Area and Central Valley Thursday. PG&E is asking customers to reduce usage of appliances and keep air conditioning thermostats no lower than 78 degrees, unless health considerations are present.
Between noon and 6 p.m. Thursday PG&E will implement peak pricing, which effects those who have signed up for the energy conservation program. Through PG&E’s Critical Peak Pricing Program, business customers receive lower rates during the summer season in exchange for a higher rate during designated critical peak day hours, said Jana Morris, spokeswoman for PG&E. The power company can institute the high pricing program only 12 times a year. Thursday is the first day this year it will be used.
