Humboldt Supervisors Discuss Road Tax Proposal

Posted on July 22, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

July 22, 2022

Humboldt Supervisors Discuss Road Tax Proposal
There is a huge maintenance deficit for local roads. But as CRTP told the Supervisors, merely fixing up the roads without also addressing the road safety crisis and investing in our public transit system would be fiscally and environmentally irresponsible. On the other hand, a dedicated local tax to help fund public transit, bike and pedestrian infrastructure along with roads would be a game-changer.

Decision on Massive Fish Farm Could Be Made Next Week
The Humboldt County Planning Commission is expected to hold a hearing next Thursday evening to consider the project’s environmental impacts and issue permits. CRTP and our allies have been able to secure commitments from Nordic Aquafarms to use 100% renewable electricity and to implement a comprehensive program to divert commuting trips away from single-occupancy vehicles. However, we remain concerned about other significant and unmitigated road safety and climate impacts.

No Clear Answers on How to Deal with Sea Level Rise in the Safety Corridor
The Coastal Commission has required Caltrans to come up with a plan for adapting the vulnerable highway (and future trail) between Arcata and Eureka to the increasingly urgent threat of sea level rise. Caltrans is still considering its options.

Arcata Planning Commission to Discuss Gateway Design Principles
Let the Commissioners know that you support bike and pedestrian-oriented design – and that includes dense, mixed-use development that makes distances walkable and bikeable!

Coastal Commission Limits Digital Billboards in Eureka
As some commenters and Commissioners pointed out, animated signs on streets like Broadway may distract drivers and contribute to the safety crisis.

Road Rage Hate Crime?
Two white men allegedly attacked a black man in Eureka and shouted racial slurs, all because they were upset about backed-up traffic after a 4th of July event. This kind of hate and violence is obviously not just car-related. But road rage is a real phenomenon that deserves a serious societal response.

Street Story: The Public Platform for Street Safety
Local residents have made 944 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.

Where Is the $10 Million for E-Bikes?
It was budgeted by the state legislature and due to be rolled out by July 1st, but nothing has happened yet.

Big California Cities Are Losing Residents
Unaffordable housing and the availability of remote work are two of the likely causes of the trend. But if people disperse to more suburban and exurban locations, driving will continue to increase and it will be nearly impossible to meet critical climate and safety targets.

Postal Service Backs Down a Little on Plan for Gas-Guzzling Fleet
The USPS now says it will buy a lot more electric vehicles than it originally planned.

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.

Eureka May Be Next Local City to Adopt a Complete Streets Policy

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

July 15, 2022

Humboldt Transit Authority Wins Big Grant for Transit Center, Hydrogen Buses
The downtown Eureka EaRTH Center will provide a much-needed transit center along with centrally located housing. The grant also funds the purchase of zero-emission buses capable of making the long regional bus routes in Humboldt and a new express route all the way to Ukiah.

Eureka May Be Next Local City to Adopt a Complete Streets Policy
At its meeting this week, the city’s Transportation Safety Commission formed a subcommittee to develop a complete streets policy. As a reminder, Arcata recently became the region’s first local government to adopt a policy requiring bike, pedestrian and transit facilities be included in all street projects. With this new development, we hope Eureka won’t be far behind!

Arcata Transportation Committee to Discuss Gateway Plan
The latest meeting on the bike and pedestrian-friendly infill development plan will be next Tuesday. And if you missed the city’s recent primer on form-based codes like the one intended for the Gateway Area, you can still watch it here.

Eureka Council to Talk Waterfront, Sea Level Rise, Traffic Enforcement
The Council will hear an update on efforts to develop a pedestrian-friendly plan for the waterfront, adopt a resolution committing to more efforts to address sea level rise, and accept a grant for traffic enforcement in the name of safety. On the last topic, we remind the city that traffic enforcement is notoriously biased and, especially in the case of pedestrian and bicycle enforcement, often punishes people just for trying to use streets that weren’t designed for them.

Arcata’s Bus System in Desperate Need of Investment
Check out the commentary by CRTP Board Member Peggy Martinez.

More Public Art Coming to Eureka’s Roads and Bridges
This year’s Eureka Street Art Festival will be in the “Bridge District” along the northern waterfront. Research suggests that, in addition to creating a more engaging and welcoming environment for pedestrians, public art can actually improve street safety.

Public Meeting on Student Housing Environmental Analysis
In case you missed it, Cal Poly Humboldt is planning to build 1,050 new student beds at Arcata’s Craftsman Mall site. Next Wednesday, there will be a virtual meeting for the public to provide input on which topics the required environmental impact analysis should cover. Might we suggest a review of the climate and safety impacts of associated transportation infrastructure?

Update on Last Chance Grade
At a recent town hall, Caltrans and elected officials shared information on the slow but steady progress being made toward a permanent fix for the troubled section of highway.

Street Story: The Public Platform for Street Safety
Local residents have made 943 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.

Caltrans Has a New Director
It remains to be seen whether Tony Tavares will continue the progress of former Director Toks Omishakin, who was the first director in the agency’s history to make active transportation and transit a real priority. In related news, the agency just released its first action plan for complete streets.

Climate Outlook Seems Grim in Wake of Supreme Court Decision
Transportation, of course, is the nation’s leading source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Pedestrian Deaths Surging Nationwide
The latest edition of the Dangerous by Design report highlights how the US – unique among the rich nations of the world – has seen a huge increase in pedestrian fatalities during the pandemic. The biggest increases came in cities and states that already had high death rates – because they have designed streets and communities for speeding traffic rather than for safety.

Infill Development is the Smart Fiscal Choice for Local Governments
Sprawl is expensive.

Broadway Demonstration Meeting Next Week

Posted on June 24, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

June 24, 2022

Editor’s Note: The Collector will be taking a summer break for the next 2 weeks. But never fear, we’ll be back online and in your inbox by mid-July!

The Coal Train is Really and Truly Dead
The time for an appeal has come and gone, so the decision rejecting the coal interests’ bid to take over our rail line is now permanent. It’s a moment to celebrate! The parent company of the Skunk Train, however, continues to fight to take over part of the line near Willits, which would still strike a significant blow to the vision of the Great Redwood Trail.

Gateway Saga Continues
The Arcata Planning Commission will review the draft plan’s housing chapter at its meeting next Tuesday. Meanwhile, disgraced Councilmember Brett Watson seems to have aligned himself with anti-Gateway activists as part of his ongoing campaign to undermine city staff. We are deeply disappointed that some of the discourse around this bike and pedestrian-friendly infill plan has devolved into toxic personal attacks, and we continue to advocate for quick and effective review and approval of the plan.

Broadway Demonstration Meeting Next Week!
Pop-up demonstrations coming this summer are part of the effort to implement near-term bike and pedestrian safety improvements on the region’s most dangerous roadway. Find out more here, and show up at Tuesday’s meeting to support a major makeover of Broadway.

McKinleyville Committee Reviews New Draft of Town Center Ordinance
It’s getting better, but we still have concerns about its ability to facilitate a truly walkable town center. Read CRTP’s complete comments on the latest draft here.

Caltrans Asks for $22 Million More for Dr. Fine Bridge Project
The Highway 101 bridge replacement near Crescent City now will cost nearly $90 million, making it one of the most expensive projects in our region in decades. We can’t help but think how many protected bike lanes, sidewalks and road diets could be built with that amount of money.

Local Households Spend a Lot on Cars
After mortgage or rent, car loans and car insurance are the next biggest bills paid by the average Eureka household. And that doesn’t even count the cost of gas! Transforming our communities so that people can walk, bike, roll or take the bus where they need to go is one of the biggest things we can do to make it more affordable to live here. (And those same cars cost local governments a lot too: just removing vehicles abandoned on the street costs over $100,000 a year in Humboldt, let alone the costs of maintaining the road network, responding to collisions, treating injuries, and on and on.)

New State Climate Plan Falls Short
CRTP’s Executive Director joins other local environmental leaders to interview statewide expert Professor Dan Kammen about the plan.

Fight Continues Over the “Kill Bike Share” Bill
AB 371, which just passed another committee in the state legislature, would impose onerous insurance mandates on bike and scooter sharing systems.

Police Are Not the Answer
People often think that the solution for safer streets is more enforcement of traffic laws. But pervasive bias in law enforcement and the sometimes tragic consequences of traffic stops of black and brown drivers cannot be ignored.

Biden Calls for Gas Tax Holidays
The move would just encourage more driving and more emissions while putting a big hole in already strained transportation budgets.

Free Bus Rides Throughout Humboldt County!

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

June 17, 2022

Great Redwood Trail Railbanking Saga Continues
As you’ve probably heard, the federal Surface Transportation Board rejected the attempt by shadowy coal interests to take over our region’s old railroad corridor. That’s great news, and we hope this is truly the end of the coal train threat (although we will continue to monitor for further developments). In the meantime, the STB let another rail line takeover attempt move forward. So we’ll have to keep working to stop a different corporation – the parent company of the Skunk Train – from punching a hole in the middle of the future Great Redwood Trail north of Willits. Watch this space for more updates in the coming weeks and months.

Free Bus Rides in Humboldt!
Gas prices getting you down? Dump the pump and take the bus for free today on all local routes. Plus, anyone under the age of 18 can ride free all summer long!

Arcata Transportation Committee to Discuss Road Safety Plan
The process to develop a citywide plan is just beginning.

Arcata Planning Commission Keeps Slogging Through Gateway Plan
This week’s meeting focused on non-transportation infrastructure, but walkable development is the core of the plan and is always front and center. We continue to advocate for moving forward with plan adoption and implementation as rapidly as possible to help address our overlapping crises of housing, climate, and transportation safety.

Street Story: The Public Platform for Street Safety
Local residents have made 937 reports so far. Are you making your reports? La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Transportation Bills Moving in Sacramento
Plus, a new bill that would provide a tax break if you don’t own a car. Imagine that!

How a Whole Country Eliminated Costly Parking Mandates
New Zealand has the highest car ownership rates in the world, but its national government has almost entirely eliminated local government mandates for car parking in new development.

Humboldt’s Climate Action Plan Moves Forward

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

June 10, 2022

What Is the Coal Train Company Hiding?
It doesn’t appear to have the money it says it does. But its bid to take over the rail lines, along with more limited bids by groups like the Skunk Train and a Humboldt Bay “bikes on rails” start-up company, still have the very real potential to prevent many local commuter trails and the broader Great Redwood Trail from becoming reality. CRTP continues to work with our allies in the No Coal in Humboldt coalition to stop the coal train and protect the future of our active transportation system in the region.

Climate Action Plan Proceeds to Environmental Review
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors voted to move the regional plan forward, but not before adding caveats about protecting the “rural lifestyle” (read: car-dependency) and other constraints which could severely undermine effective climate action. The Supervisors were the last stop before the plan moves to the environmental review phase. We’ll see if and how the plan changes during environmental review.

Eureka Is Experimenting with Lane Reductions on 6th and 7th Streets
Check out the demonstration this week, and fill out the survey to show your support!

Another Pedestrian Killed on Highway 101
A bicyclist was also hit by a driver at a notorious intersection in McKinleyville, but fortunately survived. We are saddened and outraged by these incidents and continue to call for safer streets and highways in our region, along with a culture of responsibility for drivers.

Parking Lot Housing Project Designs Back for Review Next Week
The Eureka Design Review Committee will be considering modified building designs next Wednesday. Hopefully these changes will help secure funding so that the car storage areas can be replaced with walkable, transit-oriented housing sooner than later!

Street Story: The Public Platform for Street Safety
Local residents have made 934 reports so far. Are you making your reports? La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Charge for Parking, Get Money to Spend on Other Cool Stuff
Find out how to do it in your community with this handy guide for activists.

The District of Columbia Wants You to Pay for Your Enormous Vehicle
Want to drive a huge, dangerous vehicle that does a lot of damage to the street? In Washington, DC, you’ll soon have to pay a hefty vehicle registration fee for the privilege. Could this be a model for local ordinances addressing “truck bloat” in other communities?

They Said Technology Would Save Us
All the fancy safety gadgets in new cars these days have not managed to lower the death toll on the roads.

Hawaiian Kids Sue Over Emissions from Transportation
The state’s failure to reduce climate-harming emissions is threatening their future.

Did We Defeat the Coal Train or Not?

Posted on June 3, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

June 3, 2022

Have We Defeated the Coal Train or Not?
On Wednesday night, state Senator Mike McGuire announced that the shadowy coal train company that intervened in the railbanking process last year had failed to actually file its attempt to take over the rail line. But then on Thursday morning the filing showed up after all, with the coal train backers asking for permission to file late because their attorneys had been on vacation. It’s unclear whether the federal regulatory agency in charge (the Surface Transportation Board) will accept that excuse. Even if the coal train company’s bid fails, though, the Skunk Train’s parent company also filed notice of its intent to take over part of the rail line near Willits for freight trains, which would punch a hole right in the middle of the future Great Redwood Trail. So the fight is far from over.

VOTE!
Next Tuesday is Election Day, and there are many important contests at the local, state and federal level that will help determine the future of our transportation systems and communities.

Humboldt Supervisors to Discuss Climate Action Plan
We expect the Supervisors to take up the draft plan at their meeting next Tuesday. This will hopefully be the last stop before it moves on to the full environmental review process – where we will be advocating to strengthen the plan and to ensure that our local communities are set up to actually implement it before 2030.

Eureka Waterfront Plan Workshop Next Thursday
Show up and support walkable, transit-oriented infill development!

State Requirements Mean Gateway Plan Has to Move Forward Quickly
And most or all of the new housing units have to be approved ministerially. Those were among the messages Community Development Director David Loya brought to the Arcata City Council this week. CRTP is excited to get a look at the form-based code that will fill in a lot of the details and to see this plan approved without much more delay.

It’s Local Government Budget Season
The Eureka City Council will be considering its Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget next Tuesday, and the Arcata City Council will be holding a budget study session the same night. If you think more local dollars should go to sidewalks or bikeways or transit, let your elected officials know.

Little River Trail Virtual Workshop Next Week
Provide input on the plans to connect McKinleyville and Trinidad with a trail and bridge over the Little River near Clam Beach. And don’t forget to celebrate all trails with local National Trails Day events on Saturday!

What Role Does Transportation Play in Humboldt’s Economic Development?
Healthy, sustainable transportation is not currently listed as a local economic development priority, but you can fill out the survey and suggest it! On a related note, we’ve learned that the Headwaters Fund Board is currently seeking new members – maybe they could use a transportation-minded person like you, dear reader.

Street Story: The Public Platform for Street Safety
Local residents have made 933 reports so far. Are you making your reports? La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Cars Are Just the Second Leading Killer of Kids Now
Deaths by car have long been so pervasive that they are used as a yardstick for other causes of death.

Negotiations Heat Up in Sacramento
The governor and the legislature continue to fight over whether the best way to help people deal with inflation is to send everyone a check, or (unbelievably) only help people with cars. Also remaining on the table is how to spend the billions earmarked for climate action.

Parking Mandates Are Holding Us Back
Farhad Manjoo explains another important transportation issue with his typical clarity and power.

Gas Prices Are Still High
But remarkably little public discourse considers alternatives to driving, and people still have a “mental block” about buying electric vehicles.

Robot Taxis Coming to San Francisco
They can’t handle bad weather or busy pedestrian streets, but the state just approved the first fleet of driverless taxis anyway.

Arcata Council to Hear Update on Infill Plans

Posted on May 27, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

May 27, 2022

Arcata Council to Hear Update on Gateway, Other Infill Plans
Next Wednesday, the Council will review a report of the planning process to date. At the same meeting, they will consider a number of possible housing and community development projects to apply for a new state funding opportunity. Meanwhile, Council candidates discussed related topics at a recent forum.

Even More on That Gateway Plan Review Process
The city’s Planning Commission will continue to hold meetings throughout the summer. This is the most walkable, bikeable, transit-friendly plan ever produced in our region, and CRTP strongly supports it. But so far, most of these meetings have featured a parade of the same small cast of characters railing against every aspect of the plan. If you want to see the dense infill housing and car-light transportation designs promised by the Gateway Plan, please consider showing up at some of these meetings to voice your support.

Another Car-Culture Restaurant Coming to Broadway
The drive-through establishment considered by the Eureka Design Review Committee this week will have 3 times as many parking spaces as required by the zoning code. This car-oriented design encourages even more of the dangerous traffic that already plagues Broadway, even as vulnerable road users continue to be hit by drivers. Plus, if this were a pedestrian-oriented project, all that space devoted to parking and drive aisles could instead host more tax-generating commercial uses, or even housing. In fact, this exact property did host low-income housing not very long ago. From our perspective, this is a perfect example of the need to stop allowing these wasteful building designs in our communities.

McGuire To Host Town Hall on Coal Train Threat
Tune in next Wednesday to hear from our State Senator and others about the latest decision by federal regulators.

Eureka Parking Lot Housing Projects Will Look a Little Different
After losing out on some state funding, the developer of the proposed infill housing projects at Sunny & Myrtle, 6th & M, and 8th & G Streets will be trying again with a slightly different design – including, unfortunately, a reduction in density.

Active Transportation and Health
Check out CRTP’s latest piece in the EcoNews. And while you’re there, read this great article about street safety as well.

Grand Jury Urges Action on Sea Level Rise
Many streets, roads and trails are among the critical pieces of infrastructure that will be threatened by rising water levels around Humboldt Bay in the coming decades.

We’re Actually Even Further Behind on Housing Production Than We Thought
EPIC Executive Director (and CRTP Board Member) Tom Wheeler lays out why the population projections that form the basis of state housing requirements are probably wrong, and makes the case for more infill housing.

McKinleyville Shoulder Widening Goes Out to Bid
The project will help improve safety on Central Avenue near Bella Vista, a notoriously dangerous area where multiple people have lost their lives while walking or biking.

Street Story: The Public Platform for Street Safety
Local residents have made 923 reports so far. Are you making your reports? La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Humboldt County Planning Director Resigns
John Ford has been a central figure in many local transportation and land use issues, from the McKinleyville Town Center to the regional Climate Action Plan to the McKay subdivision project. It remains to be seen how his departure will affect all of these important plans and projects.

Transportation Bills Moving in State Legislature
Bills which passed the Assembly this week include one providing free transit passes for kids, one that prohibits local governments from requiring parking at new developments near transit, one requiring the state to develop bike parking standards for new buildings, one legalizing “safety stops” for bikes, one decriminalizing “jaywalking”, one requiring transportation funding to align with climate targets, and many more.

Oregon Moves Forward with Major Parking Reform
A state agency recently voted to mandate that city’s eliminate many of their minimum parking requirements. California could be next.

How Much Money Is Newsom Giving to Active Transportation?
Not enough.

California’s Transportation System Produces Even More Emissions Than We Thought
Emissions reductions from “low-carbon fuels” produced by industrial dairies are being double-counted in the state’s greenhouse gas inventories.

Submit Your Comments on Proposed New Car Safety Ratings
The federal government is actually acknowledging the existence of people outside of cars in their new ratings, which is an improvement. But they’re still not doing nearly enough.

Federal Agency Opens the Door to Coal Train Threat

Posted on May 20, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

May 20, 2022

Arcata Adopts Region’s First Complete Streets Policy!
The new policy requires bike, pedestrian and transit improvements in almost every street project. This policy should dramatically speed up the completion of safe, comfortable, and convenient transportation networks for car-free travel.

Federal Agency Opens the Door to Coal Train Threat
This week, the Surface Transportation Board ruled that coal interests could continue with their bid to take over the old North Coast Railroad Authority right-of-way and block the creation of the Great Redwood Trail. CRTP and the No Coal in Humboldt coalition are gearing up to make sure this doesn’t happen. The STB also ruled that the Annie & Mary line was legally abandoned long ago, a decision which will make it much harder to find land for the long-planned Annie & Mary Trail from Arcata to Blue Lake. (Thankfully, the trail portion that is closest to construction within Arcata city limits is mostly unaffected.) This ruling is disappointing, but not surprising from an agency that promotes railroads above all else, and doesn’t consider trails a “valid public purpose.”

Arcata Planning Commission to Consider Gateway Streetscape Plan
The streetscape design is intended to follow best practices for creating safe, comfortable, engaging places to walk and bike. Show up next Tuesday evening to give your input.

Person Killed by Driver While Walking in Arcata
We mourn the loss of Troy Rassbach, and we say again: It is the responsibility of our government agencies (in this case Caltrans) to design safe roads, and it is the responsibility of drivers to prevent loss of life from the massive, dangerous machines they are operating at high speeds.

City Councils Discuss Draft Climate Action Plan
The plan got a generally positive reaction in Eureka and Arcata, but had some doubters in Fortuna. Because most of our region’s climate-harming emissions come from transportation, much of the plan’s focus is on reducing car and truck travel and transitioning to zero emission vehicles.

Bike Celebration Tomorrow!
It’s still Bike Month, so don’t miss Saturday’s Bike Celebration at the Jefferson Community Center in Eureka. CRTP will be there – will you?

Street Story Helps Make the Case for Safety Projects
Local advocates, agencies, and the public can use the reports of hazards, collisions and near-misses on local streets. Local residents have made 919 reports so far. Are you making your reports? La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Indianola Interchange Project Exceeds Budget (Again)
The Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) has devoted millions of local transportation dollars to the project already. Their Board discussed the latest budget issues at its meeting yesterday.

Car Brakes and Tires Emit a Lot of Pollution
In the case of health-harming particulate matter, they may even emit more than the exhaust pipes. Find out more at an upcoming research webinar.

Know an Elected Official Who Supports Complete Streets?
Encourage them to apply for this national training on how to be an effective champion for bike, pedestrian and transit infrastructure.

Arcata Could Adopt Complete Streets Policy Next Week

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

May 13, 2022

Eureka City Council to Talk Street Closures, Climate Action Plan
The city finally closed some downtown streets to protect pedestrians during last week’s Arts Alive, but some businesses aren’t happy about it. Also on Tuesday’s agenda: a review of the current draft regional Climate Action Plan.

Bike Month Continues!
Next Thursday is Bike to Work Day in Eureka. Add a stop on your bike commute at the North Coast Co-op between 7 and 9:30 am for free snacks, drinks, and more.

4th District Candidates Talk About Transportation
One of the first questions answered by the candidates was from CRTP. Check out the video to see what they each said about reducing the role of cars in out communities. Check out some related comments they made at a different forum here.

Arcata Complete Streets Policy Moving Forward
The city’s Transportation Safety Committee (TSC) will discuss the draft policy on Tuesday, and the City Council is expected to adopt it on Wednesday. If so, it will be the first (but hopefully not the last) local government to officially adopt a policy requiring the inclusion of bike, pedestrian and transit improvements in almost every street project. Also on the TSC’s Tuesday agenda are a speed study for 11th Street, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, and a discussion of developing a local road safety plan.

Blue Lake Mixed-Use Housing Project Proposed
We love a good affordable housing project, especially when combined with commercial space to help reduce trip lengths. Two parking spaces for every single unit seems a little excessive, though, even in a car-dependent town like Blue Lake. Just think of all the additional housing that could fit in the same space with a little less parking!

CRTP Executive Director to Present at Street Story Webinar
Register for the webinar to hear about how CRTP and Caltrans District 1 are using Street Story in our region. And keep making those reports!

Property Negotiations Continue for Annie & Mary Trail
At its meeting on Thursday, the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District discussed easements for the section of trail from Arcata to the first Water District pump station.

Street Story Helps Make the Case for Safety Projects
Local advocates, agencies, and the public can use the reports of hazards, collisions and near-misses on local streets. Local residents have made 914 reports so far. Are you making your reports? La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Huffman Grills Federal Railbanking Agency About Great Redwood Trail
Check out the video of our North Coast Congressman questioning the chair of the federal Surface Transportation Board about coal trains and trails.

Groups Ask State for Accelerated Timeline for Zero-Emission Cars
Check out and sign the petition co-sponsored by local climate action group 350 Humboldt. While you’re at it, you can also sign this petition asking for faster action to cut climate-harming emissions from all sources.

State to Adopt New Guidelines for Major Transportation Funding Program
The updates include an increased emphasis on active transportation and more requirements for early project planning transparency from Caltrans. Also on next week’s California Transportation Commission agenda are tentative approval for new Humboldt Transit Authority bus purchases and appointment of Arcata Mayor Stacy Atkins-Salazar to a statewide committee charged with coming up with a way to charge drivers by the mile to help fund infrastructure (meant to replace the gas tax, though here at CRTP we think the gas tax should stay too).

New Street Safety Funds Available

Posted on May 6, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

May 6, 2022

May Is Bike Month!
Next Thursday is Bike to Work Day in Arcata. Add a stop on your bike commute at the North Coast Co-op between 7 and 9:30 am for free snacks, drinks, and more. And don’t forget about the dozens of other businesses offering special deals to people who bike next week.

Another CRTP Co-Sponsored Candidate Forum Next Week
Tune in to hear from candidates for the Humboldt County Fourth District Supervisor seat on a variety of important topics – including transportation. Last week’s Fifth District forum – and subsequent reporting – yielded interesting responses from the candidates about transportation, land use, the climate crisis, and the McKinleyville Town Center plans. We note that, despite all the talk about the “rural lifestyle,” the majority of Fifth District residents live in urban/suburban McKinleyville.

More Gateway Discussion at the Arcata Planning Commission
The Commission will continue talking about the transportation-related parts of the plan next Tuesday evening. They will also discuss proposed changes to General Plan land use designations throughout the city. Check out what City Council candidates have to say about the Gateway Plan and other topics here.

New Federal Street Safety Funds Available
The new Safe Streets and Roads for All program will provide funding for local governments to develop and implement Vision Zero “comprehensive safety action plan.” The Technical Advisory Committee of the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) discussed the new Safe Streets and Roads for All program at its meeting this week. We deeply hope that our region’s local governments take advantage of this funding and develop comprehensive and effective safety plans.

Planning Work Continues for Last Chance Grade
Caltrans is in the midst of conducting engineering and environmental studies for what is hoped to be a permanent solution to the constantly sliding segment of Highway 101.

Street Story Helps Make the Case for Safety Projects
Local advocates, agencies, and the public can use the reports of hazards, collisions and near-misses on local streets. Local residents have made 913 reports so far. Are you making your reports? La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Fortuna City Council Approves a Little Infill Development
At the same meeting, they recognized bike month and committed to prioritizing street safety.

Newsom Wants to Give Drivers Money
Legislative leaders are pursuing what seems to us like a better idea – give money to people who need it, regardless of whether they own a car.

Transportation Equity Expert Appointed to State Commission
Not so long ago, it seemed like California Transportation Commissioners never saw a big highway project they didn’t like, and didn’t give much thought to other modes of transportation at all. That’s slowly changing.

“Bike Omnibus Bill” Passes State Assembly
AB 1909 would make several legal changes to encourage the use of both regular bikes and e-bikes.

Why Are Electric Vehicles Still So Expensive?
It’s complicated. But mostly because of marketing decisions made by the big automakers.