The Golden Gate Bridge District, in agreeing to apply congestion pricing to the bridge, has saved the $158 million Urban Partnership grant for the Bay Area in the nick of time, but has created turmoil with S.F because of where the revenue goes.
The Golden Gate Bridge District's Friday meeting "degenerated into an angry war of words between San Francisco and North Bay members of the bridge district's board of directors, which approved a resolution to charge tolls that rise and fall with the level of traffic but prohibited the use of any of the proceeds to help pay for a new Doyle Drive approach to the bridge in San Francisco.
The two motions passed on 10-8 votes, split along geographic lines. Before the board meeting, it appeared that the resolution would pass with wording that gave directors control over the toll proceeds and allowed the revenue to be used on San Francisco's Doyle Drive or for projects and services of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, including its ferries and buses.
But director Al Boro, San Rafael's mayor, made a motion to restrict the revenues to the bridge district, and a verbal brawl ensued."
Boro added the caveat to "quell fears that the congestion toll would be used to help pay the $1.1 billion reconstruction of San Francisco's Doyle Drive, creating (what has beed dubbed) a "commuter tax" on people who cross the bridge from Marin and Sonoma counties."
"Essentially, they declared war on San Francisco and on their own people, since they voted to allow a road that is deficient to go on for who knows how many years," San Francisco Supervisor Jake McGoldrick said in an interview after the meeting."
The deadline for receiving authority to apply congestion pricing on either the bridge or Doyle Drive, to meet the federal requirement to receive the $158 million grant is March 31. Had San Francisco chosen to toll Doyle Drive, thus controlling the revenues, they would have needed the state legislature's approval.
"The details of the new congestion toll, including its cost, will be figured out in the next six weeks. A June public hearing is scheduled. The toll could go into effect as early as September but must be in place by September 2009.
The toll will be in addition to another increase in the works: a proposed $6 cash, $5 FasTrak toll plan."
Thanks to Gerald Cauthen
FULL STORY: Bridge raises tolls, denies Doyle Dr. funds
Bike, Pedestrian Toll on Golden Gate Bridge Survives First Vote
The concept of tolling sidewalk access to the Golden Gate Bridge squeaked by on a 10-9 vote on Oct. 24. The GGB Transportation and Highway District wants to consider the toll as a potential contributor to reducing the $33 million, five-year deficit.
Making the Golden Gate Bridge Safer for Cyclists
The Golden Gate Bridge District is looking at ways to improve safety on the bridge's narrow, windy bike and pedestrian paths.
Congestion Pricing Scheme Up for Discussion in San Francisco
The public is providing feedback for the idea of a congestion pricing scheme that could charge as much as $12 to drive into Downtown San Francisco.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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.
