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Transportation Improvement Measure - Measure WNews

The purpose of the Transportation Improvement Measure (Measure W) is to support transportation investments in a way that sustains the County’s transportation network and reduces traffic congestion and vehicle-related pollution. Revenue generated by adding $10 to the annual vehicle registration fee will make significant progress toward these goals. It is anticipated that Measure W would generate approximately $5 million per year and would be a key part of an overall strategy to develop a balanced, well thought-out program that improves transportation and transit for County residents and fund programs that:

Streets

Pothole repair, Complete Streets & New Technologies (23%)

Improve, maintain and rehabilitate local roads, bikeways and traffic signals. It would incorporate the "complete streets" practice that makes local roads safe for all modes, including bicyclists and pedestrians, and accommodate transit. This program would also improve the performance of road, transit, pedestrian and bicyclist technology applications, and would accommodate emerging vehicle technologies such as electric and plug-in-hybrid vehicles. Projects eligible could include:

  • Street and bikeway repaving, rehabilitation and maintenance, including curbs, gutters and drains
  • Traffic signal maintenance and upgrades, including transit, bicyclist and pedestrian treatments
  • Signing and striping on roadways, including traffic and bicycle lanes and crosswalks
  • Sidewalk repair and installation
  • Development, installation, operations, monitoring and maintenance of local street and arterial transportation management technology such as the “Smart Corridors Program”, traffic signal interconnection, transit and emergency vehicle priority, advanced traffic management systems and advanced traveler information systems
  • Improve bicycle and pedestrian safety on arterials, other locally-maintained roads and multi-use trails parallel to major roadway corridors
  • Improve infrastructure and access to schools, activity centers and transit hubs (such as crosswalks, sidewalks, crossing guards, lighting and signal improvements)
  • Infrastructure for alternative vehicle fuels such as electric and plug-in-hybrid vehicle stations
  • New or emerging transportation technologies that provide congestion or pollution mitigation
  • Advanced signal technology for transit, walking and bicycling

Safe Routes

Safe Routes to School (12%)

This program would seek to reduce congestion through bicycle and pedestrian safety programs for teens and children; carpool programs at schools throughout Sonoma County and other related programs or projects that reduce trips to schools and promote transportation safety. Projects eligible could include:

  • Programs aimed at increasing the number of children walking and biking to school.
  • Provide classroom lessons to teach children the necessary skills to navigate safely through busy streets and to persuade them to be active participants in the program.
  • Establish an education and encouragement program that offers events, contests and materials to encourage children (and parents) to walk and bicycle.
  • Create programs and incentives for carpooling and transit

Transit

Transit for Congestion Relief Program (60%)

This program would seek to make it easier for drivers to use public transportation, make the existing transit system more efficient and effective, and aid in mobility for critical populations such as students and seniors. The goal of this program is to decrease automobile usage and thereby reduce both localized and area-wide congestion and air pollution. Each Sonoma County based bus operator will receive its population share of funding on an annual basis and can use those funds on eligible projects such as:

  • Transit service expansion, preservation and general operations to provide congestion relief
  • Rapid bus development and implementation as well as other transit priority treatments on local roadways
  • Employer or school-sponsored transit passes such as an “EcoPass Program”
  • Travel Demand Management programs such as incentives, marketing, ridesharing and car sharing
  • Mobility management programs and services, including services for seniors
  • Technology systems that enhance efficiency

About Measure W

  • Measure W will raise nearly $5M a year for local transportation.
  • None of the funds raised, outside of the costs incurred by the Department of Motor Vehicle to collect the fee, can be taken by the State.
  • Projects must show a relationship or benefit to the owners of motor vehicles.
  • Creating a smarter, more efficient transportation system reduces traffic and emissions.
  • Congestion relief maintenance and safety are key goals.
  • Measure W establishes a reliable source of funding to help fund critical and essential local transportation programs.
  • Measure W provides matching funds for funding made available from state and federal sources.
  • Measure W maintains and improves Sonoma County’s transportation network while maintaining geographic equity, over successive five year cycles.