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! You can submit items for consideration, or just enjoy the news collection!
Eureka Caves to Pressure Over Parking Lots
The Collector
January 14, 2022
Eureka City Council Approves Land Swap, Caving to Pressure Over Parking
The city is selling this deal as a way to develop more housing, but don’t be fooled: both the downtown parking lots and the lots near Winco can and should be developed with dense, walkable housing, producing far more homes than either one by itself. The land swap is really just the city’s way to appease downtown business owners who decided to prioritize the preservation of private vehicle storage (a.k.a. parking lots) over the need for affordable housing. CRTP is partnering with Legal Services of Northern California to review options for reversing this terrible decision.
Humboldt County Planning Commission Approves McKay Ranch Subdivision
Comments from the public, environmental advocates including CRTP, as well as government agencies like the Redwood Coast Energy Authority and the Humboldt County Association of Governments all highlighted that the massive suburban-style subdivision needs major changes to make it consistent with our urgent needs (and official plans) to reduce driving, reduce carbon emissions, and improve street safety. Disappointingly, Commissioners completely ignored all of these comments in the process of unanimously and unconditionally approving the project. In so doing, they demonstrated how out of touch they are with public sentiment, official policy and environmental reality. Check out George Clark’s letter to the Times-Standard here for another take on the approval.
CRTP Member Meeting Next Week
If you’re not a member yet, there’s still time to join so you can attend next Thursday’s meeting, where we’ll hear from City of Arcata staff about the Gateway Area Plan and talk about CRTP’s plans and recent accomplishments. (For more on the Gateway Plan, or to prepare for the Member Meeting, check out this recent EcoNews Report.)
Speaking of the Gateway Plan…
The Arcata Transportation Safety Committee will be considering the transportation elements of the plan at its meeting next Tuesday at 4:30 pm. As we’ve said before, this is the most bike- and pedestrian-friendly plan we’ve seen in our region yet, so come out and show your support! Another opportunity to learn more will come next Friday and Saturday, when the City plans to hold an open house at the Arcata Community Center.
RCCER Circulates Petition to Build Housing and Save the Planet
The new North Coast environmental political action group is calling for building more housing close to jobs, services, and retail, to address the housing crisis while reducing climate-harming emissions.
Don’t Forget to Make Your Reports on Street Story
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have made 879 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.
Nordic Aquafarms Environmental Documents Out for Comment
We know that transportation isn’t the first thing you think of when you think about a fish farm. But the facility would have 150 employees and generate 95 truck trips a week, so the transportation issues are significant. That’s why we’re partnering with other local environmental groups to submit comprehensive comments on the project. And you can submit your own, too!
Caltrans Announces New Complete Streets Policy
The policy sounds good. But Caltrans has already had a complete streets policy in place for years, and has often failed to live up to it. The proof will be in the, um, asphalt?
US Climate-Harming Emissions Jumped in 2021
Transportation – especially freight from all that online ordering – was one of the main sources of the disturbing increase.
French Car Ads Will Have to Discourage Driving
OK, we know this won’t be enough to put much of a dent in car sales. But we still think it’s a great idea.
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.
Proposed Land Swap Would Scrap Eureka Housing on Parking Lots
The Collector
December 17, 2021
Editor’s Note: We’ll be taking the next few weeks off to spend time with family. But never fear, The Collector will return in 2022!
Arcata Gateway Area Plan Discussions Begin in Earnest
As we reported last week, the new draft plan is the most bike and pedestrian friendly land use plan we’ve ever seen in our region. At Planning Commission and City Council meetings this week, opinion was split about the plan itself, but almost everybody agreed on the need for infill housing and prioritization of bikes, pedestrians and transit. Those skeptical of the plan just seemed to think there’s some other, dramatically different way to get there. Spoiler alert: there’s really not. Don’t forget, if you’re a CRTP member or join in the next month, you can hear directly from Community Development Director David Loya about the plan at our January Member Meeting. You can find our initial comments here.
Join CRTP Today!
CRTP is in the middle of our annual membership drive right now. If you’re not already a CRTP member, what’s holding you back? Click on the link above and join today.
Proposed Land Swap Would Scrap Eureka Housing on Parking Lots
This spring, as the City of Eureka prepared to implement plans to build affordable housing on three more city-owned downtown parking lots, certain business owners revolted and declared that private car storage was more important than affordable housing. Now, the City appears to have given into that pressure. On next Tuesday’s City Council agenda is a proposed land swap with Pierson Property and Development, in which the city would trade the three downtown parking lots for some land Pierson owns on Broadway. City staff claim that the Pierson property – which is already approved for a 43-unit apartment complex – could produce more housing than the three parking lots they’re trading. CRTP says they should do both: stick to the original plan and let Pierson build its housing, too, rather than set the disturbing precedent of officially (and wrongly) declaring that building affordable housing on downtown parking lots “will have a detrimental effect on the local economy.”
Anti-Coal Ordinance Back on Eureka City Council Agenda
Also on Tuesday’s agenda is the latest iteration of the city’s ordinance responding to the threat of coal trains taking over the old North Coast Railroad Authority line. CRTP strongly supports this ordinance and other efforts to stop the coal train nightmare and save the Great Redwood Trail.
Arcata Committee to Continue Discussion of Complete Streets Policy
Next Tuesday, the Transportation Safety Committee will again consider a policy requiring the city to implement bike, pedestrian, and transit facilities whenever they do a street project. The policy is based on a model produced by RCCER (see below).
Bay Trail South One Step Closer to Construction
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors this week approved purchase of some land and easements for the long-awaited trail.
CRTP Joins Local Environmental Groups in Support of Safe Parking
“We support parking management as a strategy to discourage unnecessary car use and thus
reduce the environmental impacts of transportation, but not as a strategy for removing unhoused people from our communities.”
Don’t Forget to Make Your Reports on Street Story
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have made 871 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.
Meet RCCER
Check out the new North Coast environmental political action group. Full disclosure: although CRTP has no relationship with RCCER, our Executive Director Colin Fiske is one of the founding members.
In New Densification Strategy, County Looks to Standardize Duplexes
Humboldt County has put out a call for architects and designers to submit duplex plans for pre-approval, hoping to ease the way for providing slightly more housing in residential areas.
Last Chance Grade Update
Environmental documents are expected to be ready for public review in 2023.
Big Utility Companies Join Forces to Build EV Chargers
We’re all for building electric vehicle infrastructure as fast as possible, but we think it’s funny how an industry that stridently resists the switch to clean energy suddenly becomes concerned about the climate crisis when it realizes it can make a buck.
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.
Humboldt’s Most Bike and Pedestrian Friendly Plan Ever?
The Collector
December 10, 2021
Arcata “Gateway Area Plan” on Agendas for Next Week
The Arcata Planning Commission will discuss the plan on Tuesday, and the City Council on Wednesday. CRTP has reviewed the draft plan, which calls for high-density, mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented development, and we’ve concluded that it represents the most bike and pedestrian friendly long-term plan ever proposed here on the North Coast. Show up to a meeting next week to express your support! And if you’re a CRTP member or join in the next month, you can hear directly from Community Development Director David Loya about the plan at our January Member Meeting.
Join CRTP Today!
CRTP is in the middle of our annual membership drive right now. If you’re not already a CRTP member, what’s holding you back? Click on the link above and join today.
HTA General Manager Greg Pratt Named 2021 Responsible Transportation Champion
CRTP is recognizing Pratt for his remarkable efforts to keep public transportation running in Humboldt County throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, while at the same time preparing for a rapid transition to zero-emission buses and initiating work on a much-needed downtown Eureka transit hub.
Eureka City Council Delays Final Vote on Anti-Coal Ordinance
At its meeting on Tuesday, the Council identified a potential loophole in the ordinance and decided to take time to fix it rather than adopting the ordinance right away. The ordinance is a response to the threat posed by a plan to block the Great Redwood Trail and instead revive the old rail line with high-volume coal shipments to Humboldt Bay. CRTP is a core member of the coalition working to stop this from happening. Another notable moment at Tuesday’s meeting came at the end of the meeting, when Councilmember Natalie Arroyo proposed that the city develop a complete streets policy to ensure that bike, pedestrian and transit features are incorporated in all city street projects. Local advocacy group RCCER has been promoting just such a policy to local officials.
McKinleyville Town Center Ordinance Discussion to Continue
The McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee discussed the draft ordinance for several hours at its meeting this week, but only made a little headway. Expect a series of meetings over the next few months focused on continued review and comments. That means if you want to see our county’s third-largest community develop a walkable, transit-oriented town center, you’ll still have many opportunities to be heard!
Another Drive-Thru in Eureka?
At its meeting on Monday, the Eureka Planning Commission will consider approval of yet another car-culture restaurant, this one in the Target parking lot. Also on the agenda is a seventh (!) time limit extension for a suburban subdivision first approved in 2007, as well as measures to implement the new state law called SB 9, which will allow more infill housing to be built in areas currently zoned for single-family homes.
Go Slow and Watch the Road
The campaign that grew from Eureka Mayor Susan Seaman’s recent countywide traffic safety task force continues to roll out. You can get free signs anywhere in the county by contacting Mayor Seaman.
Don’t Forget to Make Your Reports on Street Story
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have made 860 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.
Funding Awarded for Secure Bike Storage on HSU Campus
A student-initiated and student-led effort just secured $120,000 (from student fees) to build a secure, weather-protected bike storage facility on campus. The project is a response to persistent high levels of bike theft, as well as ongoing problems with rust and other side effects of storing bikes out in the elements. Congratulations to project lead Justin Delgado and his team!
California Adopts New Emissions Standards for Trucks
By reducing toxic pollutants and climate-harming emissions, the rules are expected to save many lives. Meanwhile, as e-commerce replaces more and more in-person activity, trucks are making up a bigger and bigger share of the traffic on many roads. A new report finds that the companies delivering those goods are doing little to address their emissions.
A Case Study for Removing a Highway
As it looks to remove a major urban freeway, Detroit struggles with the inequities caused by its construction.
Green Subsidies Mostly Go to Rich People
But it doesn’t have to be that way. The Build Back Better bill includes at least some measures to address this persistent problem.
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.
HTA General Manager Greg Pratt Named 2021 Responsible Transportation Champion
HTA General Manager Greg Pratt receives the “golden bus” 2021 Responsible Transportation Champion award from CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske.
The Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities (CRTP) has named Humboldt Transit Authority (HTA) General Manager Greg Pratt the 2021 North Coast Responsible Transportation Champion. Pratt is being recognized for his remarkable efforts to keep public transportation running in Humboldt County throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, while at the same time preparing for a rapid transition to zero-emission buses and initiating work on a much-needed downtown Eureka transit hub.
“HTA oversees almost all of the public transit in Humboldt County, and Greg has done an incredible job at the helm for many years,” said CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske. “Even with all of his accomplishments and many years of service, though, nothing could have prepared him for the last couple of years. Running an effective public transit system during a global pandemic is a near-impossible task, but Greg has somehow managed it. Not only that, but at the same time he has been working behind the scenes to plan for long-term transit improvements, like a major hub in downtown Eureka, and to ensure that our local bus fleet hits zero-emission targets ahead of schedule.”
“HTA is in the process of applying to the state for a grant that will replace 10 diesel buses with 10 zero-emission buses,” Pratt said, “effectively removing 600,000 miles per year of greenhouse gas emissions in Humboldt County. And that’s only the beginning.”
The North Coast Responsible Transportation Champion award is given each year to a leader who furthers CRTP’s mission of “promoting transportation solutions that protect and support a healthy environment, healthy people, healthy communities and a healthy economy on the North Coast.” Past recipients include State Senator Mike McGuire, former McKinleyville Community Services District Director Mary Burke, and former Humboldt County Association of Governments Executive Director Marcella May.
Fiske added: “We sorely need more investment in our transit system from federal, state and local governments. But Greg’s ability to guide HTA in providing service to our huge county with the few resources currently available is truly remarkable. He richly deserves recognition as the 2021 Responsible Transportation Champion.”
Will McKinleyville Finally Get a Walkable Town Center Plan?
The Collector
December 3, 2021
Committee to Consider McKinleyville Town Center Ordinance
The McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee will meet next Wednesday to consider the draft ordinance, which has been years in the making. A memo released by the Humboldt County Planning Department, summarizing public input, shows both strong support as well as some resistance to the idea of a dense, mixed-use, walkable town center – so if you want to see more alternatives to driving in our third-largest community, you’ll need to show up and voice support!
Join CRTP Today!
CRTP is in the middle of our annual membership drive right now. If you’re not already a CRTP member, what’s holding you back? Click on the link above and join today.
Arcata “Gateway Area Plan” Released
The City of Arcata released a draft plan this week to rezone a large chunk of the city – mostly in the Creamery District – for high-density, mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented development. You can attend a city meeting next Thursday at 5:30 pm to get more information and provide input, and stay tuned for more details from CRTP.
Coal and More on Eureka City Council Agenda
At its meeting next Tuesday, the Council will take a final vote to adopt its new anti-coal ordinance in response to the threat of coal trains to the North Coast. Also on the agenda: selecting a consultant to develop a plan for higher-density mixed-use development on the waterfront, approving a spending plan (including road spending) for COVID stimulus funds, and selling naming rights for a city park concession stand to Valley Pacific (a company that owns gas stations).
Provide Your Input on Eureka Parking Plan
Fill out the survey and let the city know that it should reduce the amount of parking and prioritize walkability, bikability, and transit.
Old Arcata Road Project Delayed
An error in the environmental review process meant that the City Council did not vote on the project as planned this week. CRTP strongly supports new bike and pedestrian infrastructure and traffic calming on Old Arcata Road. We have some reservations about the use of roundabouts, which although they force traffic to go slower (a very good thing!), also increase conflict points for people biking and are impossible to use for pedestrians with blindness and low vision.
McGuire Provides Great Redwood Trail Updates
State funding is starting to flow, and trail master planning will begin early next year.
Don’t Forget to Make Your Reports on Street Story
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have made 858 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.
Humboldt Sheriff’s Deputy Crashes in High-Speed Chases
High-speed police chases often stem from minor alleged violations – like this one did – and often result in injuries or fatalities. Why are they still a thing?
State Workshop Next Week on Building Sustainable and Equitable Communities
Want to learn about and provide input on the state’s efforts to create more equitable communities with less driving and more housing? Sign up for this workshop put on by the California Air Resources Board.
Walkable Communities Are Expensive Because There Aren’t Enough of Them
There’s nothing inherently expensive about walkability. In fact, it’s a lot cheaper to build walkable communities than suburban sprawl.
Advocates Ask for $2 Billion for Active Transportation
There is a $31 billion state budget surplus, after all. Meanwhile, in the absence of good walking and biking infrastructure in disadvantaged communities, police continue to show bias in traffic enforcement.
What If We Couldn’t Identify Disadvantaged Communities?
The Census Bureau is proposing to limit the availability of a lot of demographic and housing data to the county level, which would make it basically useless for differentiating local communities.
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.
CRTP Submits Petition for a Safer Broadway
The Collector
November 19, 2021
Editor’s Note: We’ll be taking off next week, but look for The Collector to return in December!
CRTP Submits Petition for a Safer Broadway to Caltrans
535 of you signed the petition, showing the community’s broad support for immediate safety improvements for people walking and biking on Broadway. We’re waiting for an official response from Caltrans.
New Public Relations Campaign Launched for Traffic Safety
A countywide campaign will focus on encouraging drivers to slow down, advice CRTP fully supports. You can get a free “Go Slow, Watch the Road” yard sign anywhere in Humboldt County by reaching out to Eureka Mayor Susan Seaman. As part of the campaign, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors this week followed Eureka in adopting Vision Zero (a goal of reducing traffic fatalities to zero) by proclamation. We hope the county and cities follow up these proclamations and public relations efforts with strong actions to improve the design of streets for safe walking and biking.
Eureka Moves Forward Anti-Coal Ordinance
This is an important step toward stopping the threat of coal trains and preserving the vision of the Great Redwood Trail. It comes on the heels of a major legal settlement that will end coal exports through the city of Richmond in the Bay Area.
CRTP Submits Comments on Draft McKinleyville Town Center Ordinance
Check out what we think of the ordinance, and submit your own comments if you haven’t already!
HCAOG Board Directs Staff to Develop Project Assessment Tool
That headline might sound boring, but we promise it’s not. For the first time, Humboldt County’s regional transportation planning agency is taking a step toward applying its official safety, sustainability and equity goals to decisions about which projects get funded.
Limited New Amtrak Bus Service Approved for North Coast
The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority Board (which despite its name oversees Amtrak connecting bus service on the North Coast) this morning approved bus-only ticketing for its route between the Bay Area and Arcata. Unfortunately, there are some exceptions – for example, people leaving from Arcata or Eureka won’t be able to buy Amtrak tickets to Santa Rosa, because Greyhound theoretically serves that need already. The agency promised to further study the issue over the coming year, however, and hopefully expand service in the future.
Arcata Committee Considers Complete Streets Policy, E-Scooters
The Transportation Safety Committee discussed a policy proposed by RCCER to require all feasible active transportation and transit improvements be made whenever a street project is undertaken. They also heard a presentation from Bird e-scooters with a proposal to deploy a dockless scooter system in town. CRTP supports e-scooters as long as there are adequate protections to ensure that they are not left in places that block sidewalks or bike lanes. No decisions were made at this particular meeting.
Fortuna Adopts New Traffic Safety Plan
Other local jurisdictions, take note.
Street Story Signs Go Up!
Thanks to a partnership between CRTP, Humboldt County Public Health, and the Humboldt Transit Authority, permanent signs reminding people to make Street Story reports have now been installed at busy bus stops from Fortuna to McKinleyville. As always, don’t forget to make your reports! La versión en español está disponible aquí.
Energy Authority to Weigh In on Eureka Area Subdivision
At its meeting yesterday, the Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) Board directed staff to send comments to Humboldt County regarding the huge “North McKay Ranch” subdivision. The comments emphasize that as it is currently proposed, the project is completely inconsistent with the County’s and RCEA’s adopted plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions – particularly from transportation.
Arcata Gets E-Bus Chargers
Even better, they’ll be installed at Humboldt Transit Authority headquarters and powered by HTA’s new solar array.
Local Travel Has Rebounded to Pre-Pandemic Levels
So much for a reduction in driving being a “silver lining” of the pandemic.
More Re-Paving in Arcata
With all the emphasis on fixing potholes, we want to know: what about fixing all those broken sidewalks?
Secretary Pete Touts Electric Vehicles
But the US didn’t join a pledge at COP-26 to phase out internal combustion engines by 2040.
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.
Planning Begins for a Downtown Eureka Transit Hub
The Collector
November 12, 2021
Planning Begins for a Downtown Eureka Transit Hub
At next Tuesday’s meeting, the Eureka City Council will consider approving an agreement with the Humboldt Transit Authority to jointly develop a multi-modal transit hub with affordable housing on top on one of the city’s downtown parking lots. The plan is contingent on HTA receiving a major grant to fund the project, but CRTP is very excited about the possibilities! Also on the Council’s agenda is an ordinance prohibiting handling and storage of coal on lands owned or held in trust by the City – the latest response to the threat of coal trains invading our region.
Eureka to Adopt Vision Zero Goal
Another notable item on Tuesday’s Eureka City Council agenda is a proclamation which, among other things, establishes the goal of reducing traffic fatalities to zero. This proclamation is one of the results of a countywide traffic safety task force established by Eureka Mayor Susan Seaman, and which CRTP was a member of. Look for other local jurisdictions to adopt similar proclamations in the weeks to come.
Vote for CRTP!
If you’re a North Coast Co-op member, vote now for CRTP to be a recipient of next year’s Seeds for Change fundraising program. We need your support!
McKinleyville Town Center Open House Saturday
Get your questions answered and provide your feedback on the draft Town Center ordinance tomorrow morning in McKinleyville.
Supes Discuss Denser Infill Housing
At its meeting this Tuesday, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors talked about a plan to rezone some areas for multifamily housing and to implement the newly-passed SB 10, which allows local governments to enable development of up to 10 housing units per lot in infill areas. CRTP is heartened by the County’s new focus on putting much-needed affordable housing near existing jobs and services.
Truck Traffic Impacts Not Significant?
Nordic Aquafarms said at a public meeting this week that the 15 truck trips per day they anticipate to serve the new fish farm on the Samoa Peninsula will not cause a significant impact. We’re waiting to see the full Environmental Impact Report, which is scheduled for release in December.
Will Solutions Come Fast Enough for the Eureka-Arcata Corridor?
Alarms are ringing over the relative rates of sea level rise and Caltrans bureaucratic processes.
Don’t Forget to Make Your Reports on Street Story
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have reported 843 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.
Federal Infrastructure Bill: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
The infrastructure bill which finally passed Congress last week is heavily weighted toward building new car infrastructure – doubling down on a system that continues to kill thousands of people each year while destroying the global climate. Nevertheless, there are also a lot of other programs in the bill to help improve transit, active transportation, and high-speed rail.
Climate Conference Ignores Active Transportation and Transit
When will world leaders realize that we can’t drive our way out of the climate crisis?
Transit Ridership Down, Traffic Deaths Up
This year’s deadly trends are starting to become clear. Meanwhile, California’s transit agencies may be in even more trouble, as the federal government threatens to withhold funding over a 2013 pension reform law targeting transit workers.
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.
CRTP to Local Officials: This Is a Crisis. Act Like It.
The Collector
November 5, 2021
Vote for CRTP!
If you’re a North Coast Co-op member, vote now for CRTP to be a recipient of next year’s Seeds for Change fundraising program. We need your support!
This Is a Crisis. Act Like It.
At a committee meeting on Thursday, officials in charge of building and maintaining streets and roads in Humboldt County stridently attacked a proposal supported by CRTP to require their projects to align with targets for improving safety and reducing climate-harming emissions. Instead, they said, decisions about their projects should be left up to them, and they should focus on repairing existing roads for cars. CRTP pointed out that the unincorporated county alone has an insurmountable road maintenance backlog of half a billion dollars, and if they wait to invest in active transportation and transit until they’ve fixed all their roads, it’ll just never happen. We found the reactions of these officials extremely disturbing, especially coming at a time when the world’s governments are struggling to address the existential threat of climate change, and people are regularly being injured and killed simply for trying to walk or bike on our public thoroughfares. Most of our local leaders know that we are facing both a climate crisis and a safety crisis. It’s time they start acting like it.
McKinleyville Town Center Draft Regulations Published
At long last, there is an actual draft plan for future development in the Town Center. A public meeting to discuss the plan is scheduled for Saturday, November 13th. Stay tuned for CRTP’s hot takes on the draft plans, rules and regulations.
Driver Sentenced in McKinleyville Vehicular Attack Case
It was a rare case of a driver who endangered protesters actually being charged, and the judge gave the lightest possible sentence. Nationwide, vehicle attacks on protesters have become widespread, and justice is rarely served.
Caltrans Seeking Scoping Comments on Last Chance Grade
Is there something you think Caltrans needs to consider in its environmental assessment of the Last Chance Grade project? Like, for example, examining the impacts on bicyclists at this critical spot in the Pacific Coast Bike Route? Now’s the time to tell them.
Fish Farm Developers to Hold Public Meeting Next Week
Nordic Aquafarms will hold a virtual town hall next Wednesday at 6 pm. The project is expected to generate a lot of car and truck trips, and CRTP has been advocating for ways to reduce those impacts. For more information on the town hall, email Nordic’s community liaison Lynette Mullen.
Don’t Forget to Make Your Reports on Street Story
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have reported 840 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.
Why Do We Accept the Carnage Caused by Cars as “Normal”?
It’s long past time that we change the way we think about traffic violence.
Big Oil Dodges Accountability for Decades of Climate Denial
Nothing to see here, folks, just keep pumping that gas.
So Where Will We Get All the Batteries?
Electrification of cars and trucks is critical to fight climate change, but that strategy relies on massive amounts of lithium. And lithium mining often can extract a very high toll from local communities.
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.
Do You Have Photos of Bad Spots for Walking, Biking, or Rolling in McKinleyville?
The Collector
October 29, 2021
Humboldt’s Draft Regional Transportation Plan Now Open for Comment
You can still take the survey until Sunday, and comments on the draft plan itself will be accepted until November 21st. Stay tuned for more on this critical plan, which will shape future transportation investments in the county for years to come.
Vote for CRTP!
Members of the North Coast Co-op choose which non-profits get to participate in their Seeds for Change Round-Up program, and CRTP is in the running for next year. Please support us!
Do You Have Photos of Bad Spots for Walking, Biking, or Rolling in McKinleyville?
The County wants to see them! (Léelo en español aquí.)
Secure Bike Parking on HSU’s Campus?
There are two opportunities next week to hear about a student-led initiative to address bike storage issues on campus.
Committee Hears Update on McKinleyville Town Center
Will McKinleyville finally get a walkable, transit-friendly town center? Plans are beginning to take shape after decades of work.
Caltrans Considers Options for Protecting Highway 101 Corridor
Rising sea levels will regularly flood the highway (and the new Bay Trail) in the foreseeable future if nothing is done.
RCEA Gets Grant for Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Planning
The Redwood Coast Energy Authority Board accepted a state grant this week to develop a charging and fueling plan for medium- and heavy-duty zero emission vehicles in Humboldt County.
Eureka City Council to Tackle Vacancy Issues
Dense buildings don’t do much to increase walkability if they’re empty.
Don’t Forget to Make Your Reports on Street Story
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have reported 839 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.
How Should We Incorporate Climate, Safety & Equity Goals into Decision-Making?
Next Thursday, the Technical Advisory Committee of the Humboldt County Association of Governments will take on the topic of ensuring that the projects they plan, approve and fund are actually helping meet our most important goals.
Supervisors Talk Unmet Transit Needs
The discussion raised more questions than answers.
State Housing, Transportation and Pollution Agencies to Hold Joint Meeting
Discussion topics include coordination of efforts to reducing driving, increase housing, and address historic inequities in both housing and transportation.
Biking While Black: The Intersection of Infrastructure and Policing
Black and brown communities across the country typically have less bike infrastructure and much more aggressive law enforcement.
What Does Justice Look Like When a Driver Hits a Bicyclist?
A prominent case in Colorado demonstrates the personal stakes. We should note that it’s rare that a driver is held accountable at all for this kind of incident.
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.
When People Live in Cars, Parking is Housing
The Collector
October 22, 2021
You Can Still Sign the Broadway Petition for the Next Few Weeks
More than 470 of our friends and neighbors have signed the petition for a safer Broadway. Read more about it in this recent Times-Standard article. We’ll be delivering the petition to Caltrans in a few weeks, but in the meantime you can still sign it. If you’ve already signed, thank you – and please share the link with your friends and family so they can sign too.
Caltrans Workshop Next Week on Sea Level Rise
The agency is considering how to adapt the Eureka-Arcata Highway 101 corridor to rising oceans over the coming decades. We want to see any new infrastructure prioritize walking, biking and transit over cars and trucks – after all, we don’t want to cause more climate chaos while we’re adapting to its effects. Register here to attend next Wednesday’s workshop and provide your input.
County Taking More Comments on Eureka Area Subdivision
Humboldt County planners had to re-do the “North McKay Ranch” subdivision Environmental Impact Report to update its transportation analysis to current standards. Unfortunately, the analysis is still pretty bad. As it stands, the project is a car-oriented suburban subdivision with no meaningful provisions for walking, biking or buses – but the county somehow concludes that it won’t result in more driving. You can weigh in on that conclusion by submitting comments to the County today.
When People Live in Cars, Parking is Housing
CRTP is generally not a fan of free parking, but we don’t think parking policy should be used to criminalize people who have nowhere else to go. Following its recent vote to target houseless people with new parking restrictions in an industrial area, the Eureka City Council got an earful this week from people upset about that decision. CRTP joined our friends and allies in calling for a safe parking program for houseless people. You can watch video of the meeting here.
Provide Your Input on Unmet Transit Needs
Every year, the Humboldt County Association of Governments asks the public to identify transit needs that aren’t currently being met. That process is happening now. You can attend one of the many meetings, or provide your input online.
Don’t Forget to Make Your Reports on Street Story
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have reported 833 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.
Eureka City Council Discusses How to Take on the Coal Train Threat
CRTP is committed to working with our allies to end the threat of coal export from Humboldt Bay and preserve the future of the Great Redwood Trail. Unfortunately, federal railroad law won’t make that easy, and we need to learn from the experiences of other communities that have faced the same threat.
Read the Latest from the Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association
One important issue highlighted in their most recent newsletter is the need to design new “bulbouts” and other pedestrian safety features in a way that safely accommodates bicycles, too.
Huffman Supports Climate Infrastructure
The North Coast Congressman has made it pretty clear where he stands on climate programs in the budget reconciliation bill. We’ll take this opportunity to remind everyone that transportation is the country’s biggest source of climate-harming emissions, and the kind of infrastructure we build has a big effect on those emissions.
How Seriously Does the State Transportation Commission Take the Climate Crisis?
Not very seriously, apparently, despite recently adopted plans and public statements to the contrary.
Yes, We Can Make Our Streets Safer
The City of Fremont is showing that when officials take safety seriously, they really can reduce serious collisions and fatalities.
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.