Pleasanton Mayor Jerry Thorne joined other city, civic and regional leaders this week in officially marking the completion of the first phase of widening State Route 84 between the I-580 and I-680 freeways.
With this widening project, the Isabel Avenue segment of Hwy. 84 is completed as a four-and six-lane throughway from I-580 to Stanley Boulevard.
The next phase of improvement will widen the roadway to four lanes to the Ruby Hill Eastgate entry point at Pleasanton's eastern edge. Eventually, plans call for widening Hwy. 84 to I-680, turning the thoroughfare into a junior expressway.
"This project will build a vital connection between Interstate 580 in Livermore and Interstate 680 through Pleasanton to Sunol," Mayor Jerry Thorne said at last Monday's ceremonies. "These projects improve public safety and efficiency and provide multiple community benefits."
Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty said that with the improvements to Hwy. 84, the roadway reaches expressway standards of 55 mile-per-hour drive speeds."
"These investments benefit Tri-Valley residents and Bay Area commuters alike," Haggerty said. "A healthy economy depends on a reliable transportation system and it is in our best interests to see that people and products move safely and efficiently throughout Alameda County. These projects help us meet that goal."
Other speakers included Mayors John Marchand of Livermore and Tim Sbranti of Dublin, Caltrans District 4 Director Bijan Sartipi and Alameda County Metropolitan Transportation Commission chairwoman Amy Rein Worth.
Citing the Measure BB transportation tax measure on Tuesday's Alameda County ballot, Thorne said the county's transportation commission "has made its case with its 25-year track record of delivering projects efficiently and cost-effectively."
"I'm proud that the Pleasanton City Council unanimously supported the 2014 transportation expenditure plan on next week's ballot," Thorne added."
"We know that economic growth happens when we invest in infrastructure," Thorne said. "The 20124 plan will provide $8 billion, yielding $20 billion in economic activity for our region, and 150,000 jobs. That's a strong return on our investment."
The expressway widening project is the third of five in a series of projects to improve Hwy. 84. The first four projects, beginning with the 580/Isabel Avenue interchange completed in March 2012, are funded by a combination of local Measure B, state and federal funds.
If voters approve the Alameda County 2014 Transportation Expenditure Plan next Tuesday, the final segment of will be funded, completing the entire corridor between I-580 and I-680, Haggerty said.
Comments
another community
on Oct 30, 2014 at 8:46 am
on Oct 30, 2014 at 8:46 am
we as the people don't need niles canyon rail road we need 2015 4 lane hwy good to know there is a couple smart people out there keep it up and thank you servive people need to get to you. plumber phil
Birdland
on Oct 30, 2014 at 10:12 am
on Oct 30, 2014 at 10:12 am
So now maybe they'll have time to repair 680 south between bernal and 84?
Country Fair
on Oct 30, 2014 at 10:30 am
on Oct 30, 2014 at 10:30 am
It should be law that everyone be required to take the bus or BART during the hours of 0600 and 1800. As long as we do not close California to more immigration this congestion will continue.
The Oakland Freedom news says that the mayor and council are considering a new stadium in Oakland with no provisions for a parking lot which will force people to take public transit. This was already done by Giants in SF. I believe forced public transit is coming.
Amberwood/Wood Meadows
on Oct 30, 2014 at 10:45 am
on Oct 30, 2014 at 10:45 am
@philip a santos...I think Union Pacific Railroad would disagree with you.
So you want to destroy one of the few remaining creeks that steelhead can navigate to their native spawning grounds so you can get from Fremont to Sunol 2 minutes earlier than you do now? Yes, thank goodness there are people smarter than you.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Oct 30, 2014 at 10:58 am
on Oct 30, 2014 at 10:58 am
Why should we pay additional sales tax to improve travel for people from the Central Valley to Silicon Valley? Those commuters should pay the cost. So, rather than addition sales tax the funds should come from:
1) The state government not stealing transportation for their pet welfare projects, the cost of illegal aliens, and padding their own wallets.
2) Road improvements on I-580, I-680, and 84 being paid for by tolls.
Pleasanton Valley
on Oct 30, 2014 at 12:11 pm
on Oct 30, 2014 at 12:11 pm
I appreciate the effort on 84 widening but I have hard time to understand Phase-II contract stops at Concannon Blv not at Vineyard Avenue which is 300 yards away. This 300 yards addition would solve big problem at Isabel Avenue -Vineyard Avenue intersection. This flat, empty section Isabel was available for widening without any big investment. Now Four lane road turns the bottle neck between Conconnan Blv and Vineyard Avenue and did not solve the congestion. Unfortunately it is bad planning for tax payers/local people money but continuing congestion is good for contractors to get the new contract quickly.
Birdland
on Oct 30, 2014 at 5:35 pm
on Oct 30, 2014 at 5:35 pm
Looks like the politicians intentionally stopped where they did so they can get more money by telling people if you do not vote for BB, the road will stay messed up. No coincidence that this 'completion celebration' is right before the election where they are asking for more money.
Vote No on BB. Don't fall for the extortion that 'the road gets it if you do not pay more.'
Livermore
on Oct 30, 2014 at 8:22 pm
on Oct 30, 2014 at 8:22 pm
PW Readers: Please show III proof that the entire Tri-Valley is besieged with potholes that raise auto expenses up the roof. The roads are not going to pay for themselves. And while we do need San Joaquin Valley commuters to chip and help us pay to smoothen or expand our roads, BB will save us local drivers more money on our vehicles that we enjoy and protect more than any of us think. We need any help we can get to improve our transportation infrastructure. Can't have passion cloud judgment here.
another community
on Oct 31, 2014 at 1:26 am
on Oct 31, 2014 at 1:26 am
Vote No on the Measure BB tax increase. It's a bad deal for Pleasanton, which ends up massively subsidizing Oakland. Pleasanton was 22% as many road miles as Oakland and 18% of the population of Oakland. Pleasanton as 44% of the sales tax base as Oakland. Yet Pleasanton received a mere 8% of the Local Street & Road Fund as Oakland! See: Web Link The formula gives Oakland twice the per capita street funding as Pleasanton. Every road mile in Pleasanton receives about 1/3 of the funding that each road mile in Oakland receives. Measure BB gives $1.45 billion to AC Transit -- but a mere $39 million to Wheels. Has Mayor Thorne actually read Measure BB? Or is Mayor Thorne and the rest of the Pleasanton city council co-conspirators in picking the pockets of Pleasanton taxpayers? Read the fine print -- watch your wallet -- hold Pleasanton politicians accountable for raising your taxes and giving away your money to be wasted as "political payoffs" in Oakland and elsewhere. Vote NO on the Measure BB tax increase.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Oct 31, 2014 at 2:29 pm
on Oct 31, 2014 at 2:29 pm
The transportation issue has been manipulated by the Developers and their Staff also known as the Pleasanton City Council majority!
Fpr example, the Stoneridge extension was bullied through by the developers and their friends at the Council.
The traffic is horrendous on Stoneridge now! Vandalism and crime has increased and it has made Stoneridge a very stressful and dangerous place to drive!
I've called the Pleasanton Police at least 3 times for crazy drivers with "Road Rage" on Stoneridge in the recent months!!! Try driving on Stoneridge with the thousands of cut through commuters, Very scary!!
Please vote for George Bowen and Matt Morrison and help take Pleasanton back from the Developers and give control back to THE PEOPLE!
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Oct 31, 2014 at 3:40 pm
on Oct 31, 2014 at 3:40 pm
Uncle Gator (Barry) your post is a complete exaggeration!! I drive Stoneridge between Santa Rita and El Charo twice a day and I could shoot a cannon through it and not hit anyone!! Folks living at Valley and Santa Rita should be the ones upset as it hasn't provided the intended relief at that intersection.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Oct 31, 2014 at 6:28 pm
on Oct 31, 2014 at 6:28 pm
"??", what kind of stuff are you smoking, that it's clouding your vision (not to mention your thinking).
So, here's the skinny on the Highway 84 widening: It's a few decades late and a few $100s of millions short. It should have been made a freeway 30 years ago.
BTW, don't vote for Measure BB. Make all the commuters from the Central Valley and the truckers clogging I-580 with tolls. People of the Tri-Valley should not be saddled with paying for congestion caused by others.
another community
on Nov 1, 2014 at 9:48 am
on Nov 1, 2014 at 9:48 am
(removed) I called the e.p.a. about the oil from niles canyon railroad hwy 84 there is 4 55 gallons drums and mats at the sunol train stop some talk the talk Bill some walk the walk
Ridgeview Commons
on Apr 26, 2017 at 8:37 pm
on Apr 26, 2017 at 8:37 pm
Due to repeated violations of our Terms of Use, comments from this poster are automatically removed. Why?