Ride the Bus!

Posted on September 30, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

September 30, 2022

$500,000 for Eureka Streetscape Improvements?
On Tuesday, the City Council will consider establishing a loan fund to support businesses making improvements like curb extensions, bike parking and public art.

Ride the Bus!
Check out CRTP Vice President Tom Wheeler’s handy guide to riding the bus in Humboldt County.

Eureka Council Stops Safety Improvements on W & Dolbeer Streets
Despite overwhelming evidence that safety would be improved and a recommendation from the city’s Transportation Safety Commission to move forward with the project, 3 of the 5 Councilmembers voted against it.

Migrations: Walking Together in Arcata
Join all or part of the walk on Saturday from the Arcata Playhouse to Carlson Park for this “multi-disciplinary, multicultural performance project.”

Unmet Transit Needs Hearings Coming Up
Do you have a problem with the local bus system that our transit agencies could fix? Attend one of the upcoming annual Unmet Transit Needs hearings and share your input. (Información en español aquí.) Any information you provide is useful to our local agencies. But it’s also important to know that there are legal and funding restrictions that prevent a lot of needed improvements from being made, so broader reforms are needed. Find out more about how this annual process works here.

Fish Farm Appeal Denied, New Commitments Made
While the vote to deny the appeal was unanimous, Supervisor Mike Wilson was still able to secure some changes to the project – including a commitment to an annual report on decarbonization of the truck fleet serving the facility.

Changes Coming to Arcata’s 8th and 9th Streets
They will become single-lane one ways between I and K Streets, hopefully with significant bike and pedestrian improvements. Check out a pop-up demonstration Saturday morning, and take the survey to provide your input.

Are You a Member of the Cal Poly Humboldt Community?
Join us at the Sustainable Transportation Fair next Tuesday!

Your reports help us advocate for safer streets.
Make a report on Street Story every time you see or experience a new hazard, near-miss or collision. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Newsom Signs Bills Requiring Safer Traffic Signals, Traffic Safety Plans
AB 2264 will require most traffic signals to provide a “walk” sign at least 3 seconds before the light turns green for cars, to improve safety and visibility for pedestrians. SB 932 requires cities and counties to incorporate better bike, pedestrian and traffic safety plans into their General Plans.

But He Vetoes Support for E-Bikes, Car-Free Households
Newsom killed a bill that would have provided tax breaks for zer0-car households, and one that would have made an e-bike voucher program permanent – even though that program is already funded and under development.

Second Major City Poised to Ban Right-on-Red
The maneuver, legalized by an obscure provision of a federal energy policy law in the 1970s, has long been known to be dangerous for pedestrians.

Bloated Gas-Guzzler Sales Undoing Progress from EVs
People are buying more electric vehicles. But they’re also buying ever-bigger gas-powered trucks and SUVs, so emissions from the transportation sector keep going up.

The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

Climate March, Trails Summit, Bike Rides and More!

Posted on September 23, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

September 23, 2022

Global Climate March Today at 5pm on Arcata Plaza
Take part in a global day of action and hear what local youth have to say about the future of the planet.

Eureka City Council Puts Off Decision on W and Dolbeer Streets
Commenters were split for and against the proposed project. CRTP acknowledges that it’s natural for people to have concerns about changes to a street in front of an elementary school, and there are some design improvements that can and should be made. But we also believe that decisions like this should be based on evidence, and the evidence is clear that high-quality bike facilities and narrower streets increase safety for everyone, including kids.

2022 Humboldt Trails Summit Tomorrow
Hear about what’s going on in the local trail scene, including updates from Humboldt County Deputy Public Works Director Hank Seemann and State Senator Mike McGuire.

Take a “Good Neighbor Bike Ride” in Eureka
Join the good folks at Bike Party Humboldt and meet some new friends and neighbors.

Arcata Planning Commission to Try Working Through Gateway Issues
Next Tuesday, Commissioners will participate in an exercise to “identify concerns and solutions” related to hot-button issues like building height, community benefits and public engagement. We hope this exercise will finally result in some votes to start moving this important plan forward. In the meantime, check CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske’s recent op-ed in the Times-Standard explaining why parking is not – and should not be – a focus of the plan.

Humboldt Supervisors to Hear Nordic Aquafarms Appeal Next Wednesday
Among the issues raised by appellants is the likely undercounting of emissions from long-distance trucking to serve the massive facility.

What Does PG&E’s Mess in Southern Humboldt Mean for Climate Action?
Local officials are sounding the alarm that the apparent moratorium on new electric hookups in the area could hamstring climate action, which requires electrification of buildings and vehicles. CRTP shares this concern. But we have also always known that electrification is not enough – we also have to reduce overall energy use, especially driving. This latest mess is a reminder that the climate crisis can’t be solved by just swapping out an electric machine for a fossil-powered one and continuing on with business as usual. Thankfully, driving less and lowering energy use have a lot of other benefits for health, safety, the economy and the environment as well!

Newsom Signs Bike Omnibus Bill!
The new law requires cars to change lanes (where possible) when passing a bike, allows bikes to follow pedestrian signals at intersections, prohibits local governments from requiring a bike license, and allows all e-bikes to use bike facilities by default. The governor also signed AB 2097 this week, which will prohibit parking requirements near high-quality public transit. The North Coast doesn’t currently have transit services that qualify, but hopefully we will in the future! Also signed into law was AB 1938, which makes it slightly easier to lower speed limits.

Eureka City Council to Decide on Bike Safety Project

Posted on September 16, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

September 16, 2022

Arcata Highway Canyon Could Be Covered One Day
Decades ago, many Arcatans fought to prevent Caltrans from digging a massive trench through the heart of town to make Highway 101 into a freeway. Now, CRTP has learned that Caltrans may apply for a grant to study “capping” that freeway and adding new facilities like a transit hub and bus rapid transit system. A highway cap – or the related alternative of turning the freeway back into a slower urban street – could potentially create enough real estate not only for a transit hub but also much-needed amenities like parks and housing. It could help reconnect Cal Poly Humboldt and surrounding neighborhoods with the rest of town. This concept is in its earliest stages, so stay tuned for more information in the coming months.

Eureka City Council to Decide on Bike Safety Project on W and Dolbeer Streets
City staff have proposed making them one-lane, one-way streets near Washington Elementary School and the zoo, in order to add bike facilities. Good bikeways are especially critical in places like this, where a lot of kids are likely to be biking or walking. These streets are also intended to anchor the future Bay-to-Zoo Trail, making it even more important that they have safe biking infrastructure. Show up or email the City Council to voice your support, and ask that they include a physical barrier between the bike lane and the cars.

Cal Poly Humboldt Holding Public Meetings on Campus Development Plans
There are two meetings next week where you can tell university administrators to follow its recently adopted Climate Action Plan – in other words, cancel plans for costly new parking structures, build on-campus bike storage facilities, and expand bikeshare and carshare systems, among other things.

Ride Your Bike to the North Country Fair!
CRTP will be providing free bike valet for anyone who arrives on a pedal-powered device. Come on down and see us!

Arcata Planning Commission Again Puts Off Gateway Plan Decisions
Commissioners seemed to reject the idea of a new Gateway task force – which CRTP also opposes as an unnecessary delay in the process – and inched toward supporting some of the proposed building heights, but didn’t take any actual votes. Meanwhile Alex Stillman has become the second Councilmember forced to recuse herself from future decision-making on the plan, and the city’s Transportation Safety Committee may reconsider its position on the plan’s proposed L and K Street changes next week.

Humboldt’s Road System Is Just Too Big and Expensive to Maintain
Despite an infusion of federal funding, the county still has a significant road funding deficit, largely driven by the constant need to repair major storm damage on rural roads.

Newsom Vetoes Free Transit Passes for Kids…
Despite recent record surpluses in Sacramento, he says it’s just not in the budget. Find a more comprehensive legislative update from CalBike here.

…But There’s Apparently Plenty of Money to Support Our Gas Habit
Look for “gas refund” checks arriving from the state soon.

States Are Still Spending Huge Amounts of Money to Expand Highways
Despite the federal government finally recommending against it.

Let’s Make a World Where We Don’t Care About Gas Prices

Posted on September 9, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

September 9, 2022

Another Important Gateway Meeting Next Week
Arcata Planning Commissioners are expected to be asked to actually vote on recommendations for building heights and maybe other hot topics. Building heights are closely related to density, which is a key feature of any walkable neighborhood.

Bongio Must Go
CRTP joins many other local organizations in calling for Alan Bongio’s resignation or removal from the Humboldt County Planning Commission. His recent racist outbursts demonstrated clearly that he is both unfit for office and unable to apply the rules and regulations fairly and impartially.

Local Gas Prices Still in the News
What the media coverage fails to mention is that as a rule it’s cheaper to ride the bus, walk, bike, or charge an electric vehicle than to fill up a tank with gas. And it’s more fun too!

Eureka Planning Commission to Take on Coastal Zoning, EVs and Bike Parking
On Monday, Commissioners will review edits to the zoning code, including some intended to encourage more electric vehicle charging stations and bike parking. They will also hear a presentation about the city’s progress toward updating its coastal land use rules, which hopefully will bring the coastal parts of the city in line with the 2018 General Plan and zoning code overhaul that promote more walkable infill development.

Humboldt County Seeks Consultant on Measuring Changes in Miles Driven
Almost a decade after a state law required environmental reviews to measure the impact of new development on vehicle miles traveled (VMT), the county is finally trying to standardize the practice. In the interim, the way the county has applied the law to major projects like the McKay Tract subdivision and Nordic Aquafarms has been pretty disappointing. We hope the county selects a consultant who is up to the task of preparing reasonable and evidence-based standards.

We know you’ve experienced unsafe streets around here.
Report near-misses, collisions, and hazardous locations on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Air Resources Board Proposes Deeper Reductions in Driving Statewide
Experts universally agree that we have to drive a lot less in order to meet climate goals. But the state board faces a challenge, since many of the measures that could replace driving with walking, biking or taking the bus are under local control.

Urban Highways Are Racist and Dangerous
Let’s get rid of them.

Car Culture Has Taken Over Our Brains
Why is it that when a road doesn’t allow cars but does allow all other users, we say it is “closed” rather than “open”?

Transit Funding Could Be on the 2024 Ballot in Humboldt

Posted on September 2, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

September 2, 2022

Transit Funding Could Be Included in Local 2024 Ballot Measure
Yesterday, the Humboldt County Association of Governments Technical Advisory Committee discussed a potential 2024 local transportation tax ballot measure. Local public works officials advocated for allowing each city (and the county) to set its own priorities for spending, rather than limiting eligible activities just to maintenance. At CRTP’s urging, officials also agreed to consider including public transit funding in the measure – particularly if it proves popular in public polling. Stay tuned for future opportunities to express your support for putting transit funding on the ballot!

Eureka Residents Want Crosswalks Near Elementary School
Dolbeer Street is also the site of a potential lane reduction and improved bike infrastructure, as we have previously reported. We hope that when the city paints the needed crosswalks, they also take the opportunity to implement those other important safety improvements.

Elk Valley/Highway 199 Intersection May Finally Get Safety Upgrades
Funding has been identified for the project, which has been a priority in Del Norte County for years. The project will be discussed at a Del Norte Local Transportation Commission meeting next Tuesday.

Arcata Council to Approve New Bus Driver Position
The new position will be closer to full-time, allowing better pay and benefits and hopefully attracting more candidates. (There is currently a nationwide bus driver shortage.) Next Wednesday’s agenda also includes approval of a contractor to develop plans to improve the dangerous LK Wood/Sunset Ave intersection, and the purchase of what may be the region’s first electric pickup truck for a public fleet.

What Does the Inflation Reduction Act Mean for the North Coast?
CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske joins other local environmental leaders for a discussion on the EcoNews Report.

We know you’ve experienced unsafe streets around here.
Report near-misses, collisions, and hazardous locations on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

More Transportation Bills Heading to Governor’s Desk
The legislative session is over, and even more bills are currently heading for Newsom’s desk. In addition to those mentioned in last week’s edition of The Collector, they include:

AB 1938, which would take another small step toward allowing lower speed limits
AB 2438, which would require many of the state’s transportation funding programs to align with its greenhouse gas reduction goals
AB 2097, which would prohibit local governments from requiring parking at new developments near high-quality public transit (under the legal definition, the North Coast doesn’t yet have any high-quality transit – but if we keep advocating, someday we will!)

Two Big Disappointments at the End of the Legislative Session
In addition to the many bills supported by transportation advocates which made it through the legislature, there were two major setbacks. First, the governor’s opposition again killed a bill that would have legalized the “rolling stop” for bikes, even though overwhelming evidence shows that existing bike laws do not improve safety and are disproportionately enforced on people of color. Second, the bill mandating onerous insurance requirements for scooter share systems (thankfully the bike share mandate was removed) was approved by the legislature. If Newsom signs it, we may see many of the smaller shared scooter systems disappear across the state.

Putting a Spotlight on “Unseen Cyclists”
Many unhoused people rely on bikes to move themselves and their possessions. Their needs deserve to be considered when planning bike infrastructure.

Speed Limits Could Be Self-Enforcing
The technology exists to force cars to drive below the speed limit. Why don’t we use it?

Why Are Our Communities Designed for Cars Instead of People?

Posted on August 26, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

August 26, 2022

Decision Makers Support Gateway Building Heights
At their joint meeting this week, the largest subset of Arcata City Councilmembers and Planning Commissioners supported the proposed building height limits in the draft plan (ranging from 5 to 8 stories). They also supported the plan for a K/L Street one-way couplet that would address dangerous conditions for walking and biking on K Street. These results bode well for the future of the bike and pedestrian friendly plan. But no final decisions were made, leaving lingering questions about what will happen next. One way to have your say is to fill out this newly available survey (if you didn’t do it already at the August 16th workshop).

Why Are Our Communities Designed for Cars Instead of People?
CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske will delve into the history in a series of articles in the EcoNews, starting this month with the story of the first traffic laws.

Committee to Discuss Possible Transportation Tax Measure
Next Thursday, the Humboldt County Association of Governments Technical Advisory Committee will discuss the transportation tax ballot measure recently proposed by Supervisor Steve Madrone. This will be the first public discussion of the topic since it appeared on a Board of Supervisors agenda last month. CRTP believes it is imperative that the measure include funding for active transportation and transit, not just roads.

Bike Rodeo in Valley West This Weekend
Join the City of Arcata and a variety of community organizations this Sunday in Carlson Park for a fun and educational celebration of all things bike.

Humboldt Supervisors Establish Samoa Infrastructure District Fund
With more people living in the area, and the potential for huge increases in industrial activity and trucking, the new district could eventually help fund long-needed safe bike and pedestrian infrastructure on the Samoa peninsula.

We know you’ve experienced unsafe streets around here.
Report near-misses, collisions, and hazardous locations on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Transportation Bills Heading to Governor’s Desk
It’s almost the end of the legislative session in Sacramento, and that means a lot of bills are moving quickly. Bills currently approved by the legislature and heading for Newsom’s signature (or veto) include:

AB 2147, decriminalizing “jaywalking”
AB 1909, requiring cars to change lanes when passing a bike, allowing bikes to follow pedestrian signals at intersections, prohibiting local bike licensing requirements, and expanding e-bike access to bike facilities
AB 2264, requiring many traffic signals to give pedestrians a head start at crossing the street
AB 1919, creating a program to fund free rides for kids on local transit systems
AB 117, creating a permanent subsidy program for e-bikes
SB 922, making some bike, pedestrian and transit plans and projects exempt from environmental review
AB 2863, requiring the development of bike parking standards for new development

US Traffic Fatalities Are Skyrocketing, and Some Communities Are Hit Harder than Others
The dramatic increase in fatalities that started at the onset of the pandemic hasn’t let up – the disproportionate impact on low-income people and people of color is getting even worse.

It’s Official: California Won’t Allow Gas Cars After 2035
Well, sort of. Some plug-in hybrids will still be allowed. And so will heavy-duty diesel trucks. And gas-powered cars and trucks already on the road will still be both driven and sold in the used car market. Which is why we won’t be able to meet climate targets without also reducing driving levels overall.

Big Decisions Coming Up for Gateway Plan

Posted on August 19, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

August 19, 2022

Big Decisions Coming Up for Gateway Plan
At a study session next Tuesday, the Arcata City Council and Planning Commission are likely to make decisions about some of the most contentious issues, including building height, the proposed L/K Street couplet, and the ongoing review process for the plan. CRTP’s priorities include preserving density for housing and walkability – meaning taller buildings must be allowed – along with improving bike and pedestrian safety on K Street, and ensuring that plan adoption isn’t unnecessarily delayed. People who bike, walk, take the bus, or need a place to live can’t afford to wait for this plan to be implemented – and neither can the climate! Email the City Council and attend the meeting to make your voice heard.

Bike Share System Expanding in Arcata!
At its meeting this week, the Arcata City Council approved adding 4 new stations and 20 new bikes to the existing bike share system. The new stations, funded through the Sorrel Place and 30th Street Commons projects, will be at those project locations and near well-used bus stops. (Meanwhile, a bill which would threaten the financial viability of all bike-share systems is still moving through the legislature.)

Harris Street Partially Closed Due to Risk to Firefighters
After a near-miss incident, the City of Eureka closed Harris Street to vehicles in the area where fire crews have been staging to fight wildfires in the region. We’re happy the city took action before someone was actually hit by a driver. We also think firefighters aren’t the only people who deserve protection from speeding drivers, and we hope the city expands this policy to temporarily close other streets where near-misses, hazards, and crashes occur.

Workshop Shows Support for Denser Development
This week’s workshop on form-based codes and the Arcata Gateway Plan was the best-attended public meeting yet on the plan, with over 50 people tuning in via Zoom. Live polling during the workshop showed broad support for taller buildings – perhaps a surprise to those who have only been listening to the comments at other recent meetings – and a focus on walkability and transit.

Nordic Aquafarms Environmental Approval Appealed
CRTP is not part of the appeal, but remains concerned about issues including the safety and emissions impacts of a lot of new trucks on local roadways.

Hey you! Yes, you.
Have you experienced a near-miss, collision, or hazardous location on a local street or highway? Report it today on Street Story, so CRTP and others (including the government agencies in charge of our streets) can help identify the spots most in need of safety improvements. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

What Do the Federal Climate Bill’s EV Incentives Mean for the North Coast?
Representative Huffman and Redwood Coast Energy Authority Executive Director Matthew Marshall give their thoughts in this Times-Standard article. Meanwhile, experts point out that the best way to fight both inflation and climate change is to get people out of the trap of car ownership to begin with.

A Whole Bunch of Transportation Bills Are Nearing the Finish Line in Sacramento
Bills likely to make it to the governor’s desk would decriminalize jaywalking, legalize the rolling “safety stop” for adults on bikes, require drivers to change lanes when passing bikes, provide further support for the Great Redwood Trail, align funding with climate targets, require traffic signals to give a pedestrian head-start, give a tax credit to each member of a household without their own car, and a lot more. If Newsom signs them all, expect to see pretty significant changes on our streets and roads in the years to come.

To the EaRTH Center and Beyond

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

August 12, 2022

To the EaRTH Center and Beyond
Local clean energy guru Peter Lehman, who recently helped win a huge state grant for Eureka’s planned transit hub and zero-emission buses, will give a virtual talk next Monday (co-sponsored by CRTP) about the future of zero-emission transportation on the North Coast. Click the link above to register.

Arcata Gateway Workshop Next Week
This week, for the third meeting in a row, Arcata Planning Commissioners talked for hours about design standards in the draft Gateway Plan but came to no conclusions. In this context of endless meetings with no clear progress, it is unsurprising that public participation has been minimal and limited to the same handful of people saying largely the same thing over and over again. CRTP and our allies warned of this result months ago. But inexplicably, opponents are now pitching the idea of starting over with another new committee to hold yet more meetings as a way to encourage more people to participate. Color us skeptical. What’s needed is not more delay, but urgent action to address our dire housing, climate and transportation challenges. We hope that next Tuesday’s form-based code workshop will help educate the public and build support for quick action on the Gateway Plan.

New Pedestrian Crossing on Broadway!
It’s up and running, providing a critically needed safe crossing between signalized intersections. This landmark improvement is thanks in part to the advocacy of CRTP, our members and allies.

CRTP and Allies Respond to Planning Commission’s Fish Farm Approval
We’ve won some major improvements to the project, but we still have concerns. Check out the full statement for details.

Funds for Local Projects on State Transportation Commission’s Agenda Next Week
The CTC will consider approving funds for the initial design stages of long-awaited projects to improve bike and pedestrian safety at the Sunset/LK Wood intersection in Arcata and the 12th Street interchange in Fortuna, as well as some accessibility and pedestrian improvements on Broadway and 5th Street in Eureka, and pedestrian upgrades in Rio Dell.

It’s the Biggest Climate Legislation Ever, But It Still Doubles Down on Cars
Transportation is our country’s biggest source of climate-harming emissions. We can reduce those emissions in two ways: switching to zero-emission vehicles and driving less. Experts say we need to do both. But the landmark climate legislation heading to President Biden’s desk pretty much only supports cars and trucks. Read one advocate’s reaction here.

Was the Hyperloop an Attempt to Distract from High-Speed Rail?
Or was it just a crazy idea like many others that Elon Musk has broadcast to the public without much consideration?

Hydrogen-Powered Buses and Offshore Wind

Posted on August 5, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

August 5, 2022

Hydrogen-Powered Buses and Offshore Wind
Congressman Huffman heard about local plans for transitioning to hydrogen buses this week. For these vehicles to be truly zero-emission, however, the hydrogen fuel will need to be “green” – i.e., produced from water using renewable electricity (rather than from fossil fuels). That’s why CRTP and allies recently submitted comments to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management requesting that they prioritize off-shore wind developers who commit to building local green hydrogen facilities.

Density Debate at Arcata Planning Commission
An attempt by some Commissioners to cap building height in the Gateway area at 4 stories was unsuccessful (for now at least). We are grateful to those who recognize the importance of greater density for housing and walkability. The Commission will reconvene for yet more Gateway discussion next Tuesday. Earlier this week, the Transportation Safety Committee recommended that instead of the Gateway Plan’s proposed K/L Street single-lane couplet, the L Street corridor should be car-free in the Plan and K Street should stay more or less as it is. While CRTP strongly supports car-free streets, we can’t support leaving K Street as a car-dominated thoroughfare that’s unsafe to bike on or to cross while walking, biking or rolling.

Humboldt Planning Commission Approves Nordic Aquafarms
Disappointingly, they did not add any additional conditions of approval to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions or the safety impacts of all those additional car and truck trips. More permits will be required, however – most notably from the California Coastal Commission – so the story isn’t over yet.

Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Coming to W and Dolbeer Streets?
The City of Eureka is trying out a new configuration this week. Take the survey and tell them bike and pedestrian safety is more important than moving cars quickly through the neighborhood.

Arcata Council Approves New Bus Agreement with Cal Poly Humboldt
The agreement will cover bus rides on the Arcata & Mad River Transit System for students, faculty and staff, and the university will pay for extended service hours.

More Subsidies for the McKinleyville Airport
If only money flowed so freely for, say, public transit.

Street Story: The Public Platform for Street Safety
Local residents have made 945 reports so far. Add a report any time you see a hazardous spot or experience a collision or near miss. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

California’s Electric Vehicle Incentive Programs Struggling
Underfunded programs are not keeping pace with increasing car prices, putting zero-emission vehicles financially out of reach for a growing number of people.

Down to the Wire for “Kill Bike-Share Bill”
AB 371, which would apply onerous insurance requirements for bike-share systems, is coming up for a key vote in the state legislature.

What Happens When a Company Loses Contact with Its Robot Cars?
San Francisco is finding out.

Discussions Continue on Gateway Plan, Fish Farm

Posted on July 29, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

July 29, 2022

Humboldt County Planning Commission Hears from Public on Fish Farm
CRTP and others expressed gratitude for the commitments to renewable electricity and employee commute programs that Nordic Aquafarms has already made, but also asked for additional mitigation for other major impacts – such as the impact of adding 190 new truck trips a week to local highways that are already experiencing a safety crisis. Check out the comments we submitted with a coalition of other groups here. The Commission did not make any decisions, instead continuing the hearing to next Thursday when public comment wrapped up…almost four hours into the meeting.

Arcata Planning Commission to Keep Discussing Gateway Design Principles
There was a lot of discussion this week, but no resolution…so they’ll keep discussing the same topic at a special meeting next week. We know it’s no fun to attend these interminable meetings, but the Commissioners really need to keep hearing from people like you about the importance of walkable and bikeable design!

And Another Gateway Meeting, Too
In case you were worried there weren’t enough public meetings about the Gateway plan, the Arcata Transportation Safety Committee will also continue its discussion of the plan next week. The main topic of conversation will likely be the proposed single-lane K and L Street couplet. CRTP supports this proposal, along with any other proposal for the corridor that would do all of the following: (1) Narrow K Street and add significant and meaningful bike and pedestrian safety features; (2) Maintain or improve the existing trail; and (3) Not add substantial vehicular capacity.

CRTP Featured on “Community Voices”
Executive Director Colin Fiske talks about the Greater Eureka Area Traffic Safety Task Force on KEET TV.

Agencies Continue to Explore Extending Municipal Water to Trinidad Rancheria
The Rancheria wants to secure water for its new hotel development. But extending municipal water lines to exurban areas can have sprawl-inducing effects. The McKinleyville Community Services District will consider an agreement to investigate the possible water line extension at a meeting next Wednesday.

Millions of Dollars for Local Airports
Massive subsidies never fail to prop up the most climate-destructive modes of transportation.

Walkable Senior Housing Under Construction in Eureka
Advocates point out, however, that the sidewalks and intersections in the area aren’t exactly conducive to walking or rolling for people who have various mobility challenges.

Humboldt County Working on New Economic Development Plan
Will proven strategies like robust public transportation and walkable communities make an appearance?

Annual Celebration of Cars in Fortuna
We’re still waiting to see a Ferndale PedExpo or a Blue Lake Bike Show or a Scotia Scooter Spectacular.

The Most Dangerous Road in the Country
Does US-19 in Florida remind you of any local roads on the North Coast? Both US-19 and Eureka’s Broadway are typical examples of the urban/suburban “stroad.” Check out the article for more details.