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February 6, 2002
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Dear ACTA Board Member:
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The Bay Area Transportation and Land Use Coalition urges the Alameda County Transportation Authority (ACTA) not to file an
appeal to the Alameda Superior Court ruling that forbids ACTA from spending Measure B funds on the "Hayward Bypass",
because it is not the project the voters approved in 1986. Instead, we urge you to sit down with the key stakeholders and
forge a new consensus that will provide better traffic relief and more transportation options for downtown Hayward, the
university, and the rest of the county.
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We believe that the Hayward Bypass has reached a situation analogous to Measure B after the loss in 1998: deadlock. The
judge's ruling was conclusive; ACTA is unlikely to win on appeal. An appeal would, at further cost to the taxpayers, drag on
an already long process with little prospect of a different result. More than 15 years after the original Measure B passed,
the authority should not be contemplating initiating more legal struggles, it should be looking for a way to break the
deadlock.
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We urge ACTA to seize the opportunity to bring together the key stakeholders to forge a new consensus. ACTA could form a
committee of elected officials, Caltrans, and representatives of key public interest groups, including both supporters and
opponents of the Bypass. If necessary and mutually agreeable with the Congestion Management Agency, the committee's charge
could include consideration not only of the sales tax funds but also of the funds included in the countywide transportation
plan.
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To work, this new consensus would need to provide significant improvements along the Mission-Foothill corridor, in concordance
with the original expenditure plan. This would provide significantly improved access to downtown Hayward, and both car and
transit access to CSUH. A new consensus could also support a major contribution to housing, including affordable housing, in
the county. Pursuing the Mission - Foothill improvements would not require any change in the expenditure plan; it would be the
expenditure plan.
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Finally, we urge you to recognize that the reason to refrain from appealing the lawsuit are not just legal. The proposed
bypass would destroy too many homes and open space and would not provide sufficient transportation benefits. There are real
needs for improved transportation in Hayward and central Alameda County, but the proposed and embattled bypass is not the
answer.
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We look forward to discussing this matter with you in greater detail. Please feel free to contact Jeff Hobson at 510-740-3102.
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Thank you,
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Stuart Cohen
Director
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Jeff Hobson
Policy Director
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Last updated: 2/22/02
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