Northern California Goods Movement Challenges:

The I-580 Altamont Corridor

Northern California Goods Movement Challenges:

The I-580 Altamont Corridor

Steve HemingerExecutive Director, MTC

Presentation to Congressman Richard Pombo and Acting DOT Secretary Maria Cino

August 17, 2006

Why Freight, Why Here, Why Now?Why Freight, Why Here, Why Now?

Port of Oakland — 4th largest container Port in the U.S.

Gateway to exploding Asia import trade expected doubling of Port capacity by 2020

Gateway also for Central Valley’s agricultural exports key economic sector for California

The “Altamont Corridor”: A Critical Gateway link The “Altamont Corridor”: A Critical Gateway link

Four connected Interstates: I-880/I-238/I-580/I-205

Links Port of Oakland container traffic to distribution centers in Central Valley

Connects to key north-south artery of I-5 linking Northern California import/export trade to Southern California and Pacific Northwest markets

Complements “Central Corridor” — major rail freight corridor paralleling I-80 through CA to mid-west as gateway link for international/ interstate trade movements.

I-880/I-238/I-580/I-205 Altamont Corridor I-880/I-238/I-580/I-205 Altamont Corridor

Altamont Challenges and Opportunities Altamont Challenges and Opportunities

I-580 second most congested Bay Area commute corridor in 2005

Rail freight capacity is limited/shares space with ACE passenger service

Interregional nature provides opportunities for Bay Area and Central Valley funding partnerships

Top 10 Worst Bay AreaHighway BottlenecksTop 10 Worst Bay AreaHighway Bottlenecks

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Potential ImprovementsPotential Improvements

Preliminary project limit totals over $1 billion

Projects include: Port of Oakland grade separations I-880 interchange improvements I-238 truck bypass lanes I-580 HOV and truck climbing lanes I-205 widening

State Infrastructure Bond — Chance to Advance State Infrastructure Bond — Chance to Advance

Legislatively approved bond measure a major investment opportunity

$2.0 billion for trade infrastructure

Altamont corridor could “double dip” in both funding pots

November 2006 vote on Proposition 1B

Federal Role for Altamont and Beyond Federal Role for Altamont and Beyond

Funding: Infrastructure bond requires at least 50% non-state match — federal assistance will be an asset

State Bond not the last word on resources — significant competition and needs

Current federal policy under SAFETEA-LU still lacking — a national goods movement policy and investment program

Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission a key venue for goods movement development and advocacy

www.mtc.ca.govwww.mtc.ca.gov