The county agency that had hoped to do downtown cordon pricing now wants to add express lanes on Highways 101 and 280, but city supervisors are divided on charging solo drivers the option to buy into managed lanes. Both freeways lack carpool lanes.

"The notion of charging drivers to use an express lane met heat from from the supervisors, who earlier this month voted against funding $4 million to study express lanes in the next phase of the study," reports Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez, who covers transportation for the San Francisco Examiner, on December 27.
At the Dec. 5 meeting of the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, the supervisors, acting in their capacity as the Board of Commissioners, "voted 5-4 in favor of funding the study, but with the absence of two supervisors were unable to garner the necessary six-vote majority," adds Rodriguez. The chair, Supervisor Aaron Peskin, is a supporter of the study.
The project, dubbed the 'U.S. 101/I-280 Managed Lanes Project, consist of three sections totaling 5.9 miles, with a notable 4.1-mile gap. See map (png). [Click again to enlarge.]
The critics on the board said I-280 should not be the focus of an express lane study, and said it does not address downtown traffic congestion.
“I would offer that downtown is moving toward 280 at a rapid clip,” Peskin rebuffed, arguing that downtown traffic is already there, and must be managed soon."
The north end of I-280 is adjacent to booming Mission Bay, where the Golden State Warriors NBA arena is under construction.
To the critics' point, the authority did propose cordon pricing for downtown in 2010, somewhat similar to New York City's proposal that died in 2008 and now is being reborn with support from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Rather ironically, the San Francisco cordon pricing plan was dealt a major setback due to opposition from the city's southern neighbor, San Mateo County, for tolling the same two freeways, although all motorists would have had to pay, not just those in express lanes, illustrating the difference between toll lanes and toll roads.
San Mateo is now partnering with Caltrans in proposing express lanes on Highway 101, dubbed the SM 101 - Managed Lanes Project (MLP) from Redwood City to San Bruno. It is currently working through the environmental review process.
"Tilly Chang, executive director of the transportation authority, told the Examiner if the project was enacted, some portions of the highways would see some existing lanes repurposed to be express lanes, as well as new lanes created on the shoulder of the freeway," adds Rodriguez.
Andrew Heidel, senior transportation planner for the authority, indicated that "[a]ny funding garnered would likely be used to pay for transportation, bicycle and other road improvements aimed at easing traffic congestion."
FULL STORY: SF considers paid express lanes on highways to ease traffic congestion

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)