The San Mateo County Transportation Authority recently released its 2008 progress report. The report wraps up the last year of the TA’s original 20-year mandate to improve transportation in the county and introduces the reauthorized measure, which will go into effect Jan. 1, 2009.

The TA, which is funded by a voter-approved half-cent sales tax, allocated nearly $70 million to transportation projects and programs.

Current projects include the auxiliary lanes on Highway 101 from Millbrae Avenue to Third Avenue in San Mateo. A highway improvement project at the entrance to Half Moon Bay, also funded by the TA, was completed in September.

It is estimated that $1.1 billion in local sales tax dollars have been generated since the measure was authorized in 1988. An additional $1.2 billion in matching regional, state and federal monies provided funding for projects such as these:

• Caltrain right of way purchase
• Baby Bullet express service
• Highway 101 auxiliary lanes
• Oyster Point Interchange
• Highway 92 climbing lanes
• Commute shuttles

TA Funds also were used to establish a $25 million trust fund to provide paratransit services for those people who are not able to ride regular fixed-route bus service.

The reauthorized measure includes funds for more local community shuttles, railroad/street grade separations, ferry service to South San Francisco and Redwood City and a major infusion of tax dollars for pedestrian and bicycle projects.

To download the TA Progress Report, click HERE or call 650-508-6446 (TTY 650-508-6448) for a copy to be mailed to you.

11/06/2008 - crd
Media Contact: Christine Dunn, 650-508-6238