The proposed Transportation Expenditure Plan (TEP) is the culmination of months of extensive public outreach, stakeholder engagement, and advocate input. The TEP has also been approved by all of Contra Costa’s 19 cities and towns, as well as the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. The plan focuses on innovative strategies and new technologies to promote a strong economy, protect the environment, and enhance the quality of life for all of Contra Costa’s diverse communities.
Highway 4-160 Connector Ribbon Cutting
“The CCTA Board is incredibly proud of the TEP. This is a transportation plan that reflects the values of our diverse region, has garnered broad support across the county, and will guide the next 30 years of transportation planning. If a supermajority of voters approve the tax measure in November, the tax revenue will provide necessary funding for the transportation improvements included in the TEP,” said Authority Board Special Meeting Chair Don Tatzin.
Contra Costa residents have made significant contributions to their transportation infrastructure since 1988, when voters passed Measure C, a half-cent sales tax dedicated to maintaining the ability of residents to travel safely and conveniently throughout the county. Measure C helped fund the BART extension to Pittsburg/Bay Point, built the Richmond Parkway, improved bicycle and pedestrian trails in the county, and invested more than $30 million in senior and disabled transit services.
In 2004, voters passed Measure J, which renewed the half-cent sales tax through 2034. Measure J has helped deliver the Fourth Bore of the Caldecott Tunnel, generated $1.3 billion dollars of investments to Highway 4 in Eastern Contra Costa County, including a BART extension to Antioch, and combined with Measure C has provided $286 million to Contra Costa’s cities and towns to maintain and repair local streets. The measure, which will appear on the November 8 ballot, will ask Contra Costa voters to approve a new half-cent sales tax that will generate $2.9 billion in revenues over 30 years to continue to improve the transportation system in Contra Costa.
Highway 4 Ribbon Cutting
The TEP includes plans to reduce congestion and smooth traffic; improve BART, bus, ferry, and train service; and fix local streets and roads. It also dedicates unprecedented funding to new technologies and bicycle and pedestrian improvements in every part of the county, to give commuters viable alternatives to driving and in the process help get them out of traffic.
The TEP builds on CCTA’s strong record of fiscal responsibility and includes strong taxpayer protections and accountability. A public oversight committee will provide independent review of all funds raised and spent. It will ensure that funds are spent only in accordance with the voter-approved plan and only to benefit Contra Costa County.
“As we move into the future, Contra Costa’s economic strength is going to depend on people being able to travel quickly and conveniently throughout the county – to jobs, shopping and entertainment destinations, and everywhere else they need to go. This plan – and the measure that will fund the improvements it describes – helps make sure that is a reality in years to come,” said Tatzin.
To find out more information about the transportation improvements planned for the next 30 years – including projects in each of Contra Costa’s 19 cities and towns – and the tax measure, which will fund those plans if approved by voters on November 8, 2016, visit KeepContraCostaMoving.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.
5 comments
This gets a big thumbs down from me until I know what kind of extraction ECCFPD needs from my ever more limited resources.
Your readers must, must, must, read and comprehend what this tax measure is asking. After reading the details at the web address listed in the article above, I vomited in my mouth for how sickening the greed that is tied to this measure. Also, take a look at the first tax measure approved in 1988 and ask yourself “did we get what was promised and are we satisfied with the time and quality of the results? Uh, I vomited again, sorry.
These lazy legislatures are actually waiting for the new TEP tax to pass before they allocate money to fix the 680/Hwy 4 interchange. Without doubt,the most dangerous interchange in Contra Costa County. Unbelievable! Measure C did not fix it post 1988 and Measure J did not fix it post 2006. Now you want me to believe the new TEP tax in 2016 is going to fix it? Please say no to this greed and incompetence!
Why did my follow-up comment not post. So irritating!
The new TEP tax is asking us to pay for the fix to the HWY 680/ HWY 4 interchange. Without a doubt, the most dangerous interchange in Contra Costa County. After Measure C post 1988 and Measure J post 2004, we still have not fixed this interchange. Please vote no on this incompetence and greed.
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