Attend Public Hearing for the SDP Initial Study and Negative Declaration
News Articles
05/22/2002
The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) Board of Directors has scheduled a public hearing for 6:00pm Thursday, June 20, 2002 to consider adopting a Negative Declaration as the appropriate environmental document for the District’s Service Deployment Plan (SDP), and to accept comments on new services proposed in the Central Alameda County section of the SDP, and for transbay bus lines C, F, and RCV. All proposals are subject to modifications as a result of public input.
Initial Study/Negative Declaration
The public hearing process provides an opportunity for public review of the Initial Study/Negative Declaration prepared for the SDP in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act and AC Transit policy. This document evaluates the environmental consequences of (and any potential mitigation measures associated with) the SDP before the Board of Directors takes any action. The Initial Study/Negative Declaration, conducted by Environmental Science Associates, has determined that the proposed project (the AC Transit Service Deployment Plan) would not have any significant environmental impacts that requires mitigation.
Copies of the environmental document are located for public inspection at main libraries and city halls of the 13 cities within the District by May 30, and in the District Secretary’s office at 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland. They also are available on this Web site.
After the public hearing, the Board of Directors will decide whether to approve the Negative Declaration and authorize the filing of a Notice of Determination. Approval of the Initial Study/Negative Declaration does not mean that SDP will be implemented. The following summarizes proposed changes.
Central Alameda County Plan
Service modernization proposed for the Hayward / San Leandro area would improve area coverage, shorten trip times, and add trips on major trunk lines. While some routes would be unchanged, new lines also would be created – some introducing service on streets not served now:
Changes are proposed for Line 94 – Hayward Highlands, Line 97 – San Leandro – Union City, Line 99/301 – Hayward – Union City, and Line 92- Cal State Hayward.
Ten new local lines would be introduced, some incorporating segments of existing routes but serving them in new ways, others introducing buses in areas not now served by transit.
No changes are proposed for Line 36X – Oakland Express, Line 82/82 – Oakland – Hayward mainline service, and local Lines 82, 83, 85 and 87.
If the proposals, or any variation thereof, are adopted by the District’s Directors, initial phases could begin in September 2002. Changes also could occur in December 2002, but actual implementation dates will depend upon the availability of necessary resources.
Transbay Bus Lines
Modification of three transbay bus lines is proposed:
Line C – Piedmont, Oakland, Emeryville would operate only during weekday commute hours – only in the peak commute direction (to San Francisco in the morning, to Piedmont in the afternoon). This would discontinue reverse commute (eastbound a.m. and westbound p.m.), midday and weekend trips.
Line F – Berkeley, Oakland, Emeryville would operate to San Francisco via Emeryville and I-80. Berkeley-bound, Line F would use the San Pablo Avenue off-ramp from eastbound I-580 (instead of West Grand Avenue). This eliminates Line F service in West Oakland Adeline and Peralta streets and West Grand Avenue.
Line RCV – Castro Valley, San Leandro would operate in the reverse of today’s direction, via the current loop through Castro Valley serving a new terminal on Center Street and I-580, discontinuing service on Castro Valley Blvd. between Center Street and Lake Chabot Road.
Public Comment Is Invited
Public comment on the Initial Study/Negative Declaration, the service adjustments proposed for Central Alameda County and the three transbay bus routes is invited, either in writing (by letter, fax or email) or at the public hearing, scheduled for 6:00pm Thursday, June 20, 2002 in the District’s Board Room, 2nd Floor, 1600 Franklin Street in downtown Oakland. This meeting site is located near the mainline bus routes serving Oakland’s City Center.
Written comment may be submitted before the public hearing. Letters, facsimiles or email must be received no later than 2:00pm Thursday, June 20, in order to be provided to the Board for consideration at the public hearing. Address written comment to AC Transit, District Secretary, 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94612, send by facsimile to 510-891-7157 or email to planning@actransit.org
The meeting site is wheelchair accessible.
A sign language interpreter will be provided, if needed. To arrange for an ASL translator, please contact the District Secretary’s Office by 5:00pm, Friday, June 14, 2002. Call 510-891-4868. (Hearing-impaired only, call: TDD-ONLY 1-800-448-9790). Please do not wear scented products to the meeting.