Swalwell's statement on MTC approval of BART-to-ACE funding

WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-15) issued the following statement Wednesday after the Metropolitan Transportation Commission voted to approve $1.6 million in AB 1171 bridge-toll funds to complete environmental work for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) extension to Isabel Avenue in Livermore. The MTC also approved $660,000 from Regional Measure 1 bridge-toll funds to hire an executive consultant to lead the Altamont Regional Rail Working Group in identifying solutions for a BART connection to the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE).

“The Metropolitan Transportation Commission made a wise investment today. As I wrote to the commissioners, a BART to ACE connection is vital to solving Interstate 580’s intolerable congestion resulting from the imbalance between the Bay Area’s jobs and the Central Valley’s housing. It would substantially increase ridership on both systems while taking cars off the road – and that means less traffic, better air quality, and faster movement of goods through the Altamont to keep our regional economy humming.

“The Altamont Regional Rail Working Group’s creation a year ago brought together policy makers from the Tri-Valley and the San Joaquin Valley, but now needs the leadership and rail expertise to find the cost-effective solutions that a BART-to-ACE project will require. Along with the $1.6 million allocation for environmental study, this $660,000 allocation to hire an executive consultant for two years constitutes a down payment on a better tomorrow. Today marks the biggest step taken since the passage of Measure BB by Alameda County voters in 2014 toward getting BART to Livermore, and I will continue to support efforts to make this needed project a reality.”