511 Contra Costa

Two weeks ago, we asked you to share your hottest transportation questions.
Our trusty readers didn’t hold back! Let’s see what they said (and how we can help them find answers). Keep these questions coming, either in the comments below, Facebook, or Twitter.
Is it possible to add a bike lane from Pinole to Martinez and back? I try to commute on Alhambra Valley Rd as much as possible but it’s very narrow and vehicles drive a little too close…. Read the rest

For the second time, Brentwood has received the League of American Bicyclists bronze distinction on its “Bicycle Friendly Communities” list. Brentwood was first placed on the list in 2006 by the national biking advocacy group.
This year, Brentwood was one of eight communities to successfully renew its distinction.
From the Contra Costa Times:
The league conferred the award on Brentwood this time based on the number of bike lanes and trails it has, one of the five categories in which contenders were judged…. Read the rest

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission recently released the “Pavement Management Index,” which classifies pavement conditions in nine Bay Area counties and 101 cities from Very Good to Poor.
Congratulations to Brentwood for being ranked the highest! Contra Costa County was also ranked Very Good.

Other cities in Contra Costa County were classified as follows:
Good
Concord, Oakley, San Pablo, Clayton, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, Hercules, Danville, Lafayette, Antioch, Pinole
Fair
Pleasant Hill, Pittsburg
At-Risk
Martinez, Moraga, Richmond, El Cerrito
Poor
Orinda… Read the rest

Construction on BART’s eastward extension, which will span 10 miles from the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART station towards Hillcrest Avenue, is set to begin this fall. The extension will fulfill the first phase of the eBart project, which aims to bring BART into East County. It should be completed by 2015.
BART will be providing a project overview and gathering feedback about fares, station access, and hours of operation at three venues next week…. Read the rest

Local News

Weekend track closures between Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill BART stations; free bus services to be provided March 26-28 and May 28-30
El Cerrito encourages community participation in identifying area traffic concerns – meetings on March 25 & 31st
511CC gets kudos for use of social media to deliver information and foster environmental awareness
Eastern Contra Costa Transit Auth. receives $1 mil. to prevent bus service cuts to Brentwood & Discovery Bay

Bay Area and California News

Electric trucks get green light from California Air Resources Board
Bay Area counties eye ballot measures to raise auto registration fee by $10 for transportation funding
BART partners with junaio on augmented reality app
Biking Directions added to Google Maps
Efforts to build Bay Bridge faster include offering incentives and threatening penalties
Bay Area train agencies expect big bucks from Prop…. Read the rest