As 2024 comes to a close, we at the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) want to share some of this year’s most significant accomplishments that are improving transportation and mobility for communities throughout Alameda County. Our agency looks forward to working in community to further advance transportation planning, projects and programs to foster a vibrant and livable Alameda County in 2025! | |
Commission approves more than $3 Million for transportation projects that reduce emissions. | |
Through the Transportation Fund for Clean Air, Alameda CTC programmed and allocated over $3 million to projects that advanced clean air goals, including for bicycle facilities. | |
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At the October Commission Meeting, the Commission approved more than $3 million in Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) funding to support clean air projects, including for shuttles, bicycle facilities, and alternative fuel infrastructure. As the designated TFCA County Program Manager, Alameda CTC directs 40 percent of the TFCA funding to support effective and proven solutions for reducing harmful emissions in the county. TFCA is funded by a $4 vehicle registration fee collected by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District).
Earlier this year, the Air District Board approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 TFCA Expenditure Plan, which allocated the funding to Alameda County. Alameda CTC then issued a call for projects this past May. The Commission is now in the process of directing $3.087 million to projects that reduce motor vehicle emissions. A complete list of clean air projects staff recommended for funding starts on page four of the TFCA Program Commission Memo linked here.
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Efforts advance to connect I-680 Express Lanes segments | |
Express Lanes are one resource to help improve trip reliability. | |
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The I-680 Express Lanes from SR-84 to Alcosta Boulevard Project aims to close the gap between existing express lanes to increase efficiency, improve travel time and reliability, and optimize freeway operations. The project extends for approximately 9 miles on northbound and southbound I-680 through Sunol, Pleasanton, Dublin and San Ramon. The southbound express lane is currently in construction, while the northbound phase will be implemented at a future date. More than two-thirds of project work to connect segments is now complete on southbound lanes between I-580/680 interchange and Koopman Road located in Pleasanton. Median and outside shoulder work from the I-580/680 to Bernal Road was also completed.
Express lanes benefit commuting patterns because tolling, lane access restrictions, and better carpool enforcement tools improve traffic flow to keep vehicles moving. This gives carpoolers, and others who choose to use the lanes, more accuracy and reliability to plan their trips. Additionally, the toll system provides technology to enforce express lane rules and ensure efficient operations. Learn more here.
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I-80 Gilman Interchange Improvements Project nears completion | |
Aerial view of one of the I-80/Gilman Interchange Improvements Project roundabouts. | |
The I-80 Gilman Interchange Improvements Project, located in northwest Berkeley near Albany, aims to improve safety and traffic flow while closing gaps in local and regional bicycle paths including the San Francisco Bay Trail. The project is reconfiguring the I-80 interchange, including building a class 1 bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the freeway, establishing a pair of roundabouts to improve traffic operations and safety, and constructing additional separated bicycle facilities on Gilman Street in Berkeley. The project is expected to be completed in early 2025 and the pedestrian bridge is already open to use. Visit the project website here. | |
Commission approves key documents to guide major upcoming planning initiatives | |
In October 2024, Alameda CTC Commission adopted the 2026 Alameda Countywide Transportation Plan Policy Blueprint. | |
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The Countywide Transportation Plan (CTP) is a long-range planning tool that guides agency priorities and initiatives and identifies specific projects and programs envisioned for the future. A major milestone for the CTP’s next update was achieved at the October Commission meeting when the CTP Policy Blueprint was adopted. Developed over a full year of planning work, policy discussions and engagement, the Policy Blueprint establishes the CTP’s vision, goals, and objectives focused on Commission priorities of safety, equity, climate, and economic vitality. It also includes an updated High-Injury Network and brand-new Proactive Safety Network that will serve as a strong technical foundation to advance safety throughout the county.
The Blueprint’s adoption marks the first major milestone of a multi-year CTP update process and will guide the remaining steps in plan development, including a needs assessment, project prioritization, final strategies, and performance analysis. All aspects of the Blueprint were built in partnership with local jurisdictions and agencies, agency advisory committees, community organizations and through Commissioner input on policy priorities.
As part of the Blueprint’s development, the CTP team held discussions with 40 organizations in the earliest phases of the plan process. Directly carrying out recommendations in the agency’s Race and Equity Action Plan (REAP) to secure more feedback from community-based organizations, these discussions have cultivated relationships and laid the groundwork for future opportunities to expand agency connections across communities. Staff will continue these partnerships across the full CTP development process, which is anticipated to be finalized in 2026. Learn more here.
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Alameda CTC's LBCE Program continues to serve as economic driver for Alameda County | |
As of June 2024, Alameda CTC administered 41 professional services contracts that included LBCE Program goals. (credit: Pixbay) | |
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Alameda CTC established the LBCE Program to create economic growth and jobs by requiring local contracting that supports residents and businesses in Alameda County. The LBCE Program helps to identify and engage the participation of Local Business Enterprise (LBE), Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE), and Very Small Local Business Enterprise (VSLBE) firms located in Alameda County on contracts which are administered by Alameda CTC or related to, or in support of, a sponsor agency-administered capital project and funded either in whole or in part by Measure BB, Measure B, or Vehicle Registration Fee funds; the program does not apply to contracts that include federal, state, or non-local funds.
During the last fiscal year, FY 2024, Alameda CTC-administered contracts included 41 professional services contracts that had LBCE Program goals. Many of the contracts exceeded program expectations. Eighty percent of contract payments in the last fiscal year went to LBE firms and one-third went to SLBE firms. VSLBE firms received more than 1 percent of payments. By encouraging businesses to locate in Alameda County, generating employment opportunities, and stimulating the local economy, the LBCE program is an important contributor to advancing Alameda County’s prosperity. Learn more here.
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A fond farewell and thank you! | |
At the last Commission meeting of 2024, Commissioners gathered for a final photo together. | |
At the final Alameda CTC Commission meeting this year, we shared farewells to commissioners whose tenures on the Commission had come to an end. Our deepest appreciation goes to the Commissioners transitioning out of their roles. Thank you for your service to Alameda CTC and Alameda County! | |
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