News, Views and Analysis from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments
A sparkling, new shoreline public park near the Bay Bridge in Oakland was dedicated Wednesday, the project brought to fruition with help from the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA). Read More
With cash toll collection at the Bay Area's seven state-owned toll bridges suspended since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MTC and the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) invite drivers who have received a toll notice to use the toll payment page on the Bay Area FasTrak® website. Read More
Caltrans and the Bay Area Toll Authority say construction crews have now replaced 29 of the 31 upper deck joints on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. Read More
Five meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, July 11, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Bay Area Metro Center. Here are links to the full agendas and meeting packets:
Read on for highlights from the agendas and info on how to tune in live. Read More
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 23. Highlights included the Commission offering a "Support and Seek Amendments" position on a State Assembly bill related to BART transit-oriented development (prompting a lively debate on regional housing and local zoning control), as well as approval of a pilot program that will provide 20 percent fare discounts to low-income adults on several major Bay Area transit operators.
Read on for all the Commission actions of the day, as well as links to the video recording of the meeting and all the handouts. Read More
Five of MTC’s standing committees will meet on Wednesday, April 11, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Bay Area Metro Center: the Bay Area Toll Authority Oversight Committee, the MTC Administration Committee, the MTC Programming and Allocations Committee, the MTC Policy Advisory Council Equity & Access Subcommittee, and the MTC Policy Advisory Council. Here is a peek at what is on their agendas, as well as links to all the meeting agendas. Read More
Five meetings were held at the Bay Area Metro Center on Wednesday, January 24. The highlight of the morning was the Bay Area Toll Authority meeting, where the Commission unanimously approved a resolution to place Regional Measure 3 on the June 5 ballot in all nine Bay Area counties. If approved by a combined majority of all voters, a sweeping $4.45 billion package of congestion relief projects would be financed by a $1 increase in tolls on the Bay Area’s seven state-owned toll bridges beginning Jan. 1, 2019, followed by a $1 increase in January 2022 and another $1 increase in January 2025. Read more about the measure and the vote on MTC’s website or in the news. Watch a recording of the full BATA meeting here, or download the agenda. Read More
Several MTC and BATA committees will be meeting this upcoming Wednesday, January 10, at the Bay Area Metro Center, including the MTC Administration Committee, the MTC Programming and Allocations Committee, the BATA Oversight Committee, and the Policy Advisory Council.
Of particular note is the BATA Oversight Committee, which will be voting to place Regional Measure 3 on the ballot for this year’s June 5 statewide election. The measure would raise the toll on the Bay Area’s seven state-owned bridges by $1 in 2019, followed by $1 in 2022, and another $1 in 2025. The Mercury News covered the topic earlier today and a recent poll shows strong support for the measure. Read more about how the money from the higher tolls would be used here. Read More
As the year winds to a close, it's a good time to take stock of all the things we are grateful for. Here at the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) and Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), there is an across-the-board commitment to hard work and excellence at both the staff and leadership level. We are thankful for all of the following honors and awards bestowed on us in 2017 by peers and professional organizations. Read More
The final two piers of the old Bay Bridge East Span were demolished last month, 81 years after the bridge’s grand opening. In the above video, MTC’s Mark Jones joins Caltrans bridge crews to document the stupendous early-morning implosion. Read More