Post by bennyp81 on Jun 15, 2005 12:24:19 GMT -8
Bart Reed
User ID: 1606604 Apr 22nd 9:37 AM
Redwood City Daily News: Monday, April 21, 2003
Bridge project option could hurt city
By Nina Wu
Daily News Staff Writer
If county officials opt to construct a contro-versial, new southerly approach to the Dumbarton Bridge, marshlands and homes in East Palo Alto would be impacted, according to a Metropolitan Transportation Commission report.
The bypass is one among six proposals outlined in a 2000 San Francisco Bay Crossing Study conducted by the commission, estimated to cost between $670 million and $1.89 billion.
While it would improve traffic conditions along University Avenue, it could potentially plow through environmentally sensitive baylands and impact several East Palo Alto homes under construction, along with the-East Palo Alto Charter School.
San Mateo County agencies are conducting a follow-up project, called the Peninsula Corridor 2020 Study, which won't be completed for at least another year.
Yet East Palo Alto residents and environmenta-lists are alarmed at the mere possibility. "If our City Council keeps building giant buildings here, they're inviting more traffic into the city and then being surprised," said East Palo Alto community activist Sue Travers. "It's one bad idea after another. East Palo Alto could end up being one large housing tract like Fremont."
Palo Alto Mayor Dena Mossar also opposes the southern extension proposal, saying that she prefers the Dumbarton Rail Bridge proposal instead because it would be less expensive.
The rail bridge alternative, estimated to cost from $180 million to $286 million, would restore and improve tracks in five locations in Hayward, Fremont and Newark.
The proposed bypass is divided into three segments, stretching from the Dumbarton Bridge to Highway 101 south of the Oregon Expressway.
Southeast of Highway 84, there are two possibilities: a tunnel connecting directly to Highway 84 or a grade-separated intersection at Highway 84 and University Avenue.
The tunnel option, which costs three times more, would avoid plowing through environmentally sensitive baylands and a large Cargill salt pond. Up to 3.2 acres or more of wetlands, on the other hand, could be impacted by the intersection of underpasses and overpasses.
Beyond Bay Point Road, the four-lane road would turn into two lanes, bisecting the Ravenswood Business Park, requiring the removal of at least two major structures and assorted auto wrecking and equipment storage yards, according to the environmental and socioeconomic report.
Þ--Þ--Þ
User ID: 1606604 Apr 22nd 9:37 AM
Redwood City Daily News: Monday, April 21, 2003
Bridge project option could hurt city
By Nina Wu
Daily News Staff Writer
If county officials opt to construct a contro-versial, new southerly approach to the Dumbarton Bridge, marshlands and homes in East Palo Alto would be impacted, according to a Metropolitan Transportation Commission report.
The bypass is one among six proposals outlined in a 2000 San Francisco Bay Crossing Study conducted by the commission, estimated to cost between $670 million and $1.89 billion.
While it would improve traffic conditions along University Avenue, it could potentially plow through environmentally sensitive baylands and impact several East Palo Alto homes under construction, along with the-East Palo Alto Charter School.
San Mateo County agencies are conducting a follow-up project, called the Peninsula Corridor 2020 Study, which won't be completed for at least another year.
Yet East Palo Alto residents and environmenta-lists are alarmed at the mere possibility. "If our City Council keeps building giant buildings here, they're inviting more traffic into the city and then being surprised," said East Palo Alto community activist Sue Travers. "It's one bad idea after another. East Palo Alto could end up being one large housing tract like Fremont."
Palo Alto Mayor Dena Mossar also opposes the southern extension proposal, saying that she prefers the Dumbarton Rail Bridge proposal instead because it would be less expensive.
The rail bridge alternative, estimated to cost from $180 million to $286 million, would restore and improve tracks in five locations in Hayward, Fremont and Newark.
The proposed bypass is divided into three segments, stretching from the Dumbarton Bridge to Highway 101 south of the Oregon Expressway.
Southeast of Highway 84, there are two possibilities: a tunnel connecting directly to Highway 84 or a grade-separated intersection at Highway 84 and University Avenue.
The tunnel option, which costs three times more, would avoid plowing through environmentally sensitive baylands and a large Cargill salt pond. Up to 3.2 acres or more of wetlands, on the other hand, could be impacted by the intersection of underpasses and overpasses.
Beyond Bay Point Road, the four-lane road would turn into two lanes, bisecting the Ravenswood Business Park, requiring the removal of at least two major structures and assorted auto wrecking and equipment storage yards, according to the environmental and socioeconomic report.
Þ--Þ--Þ