On Wednesday, March 15th, please join with People Power, the Sierra Club and other members of the Campaign for Sensible Transportation as we band together to stop the sneak lane approach to widening Highway 1.

On March 15th, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) will hear a request from the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC) to fund $20 million worth of projects in Santa Cruz under the 2006 STIP funding program. These projects include over $2 million for the rail trail, an additional half million dollars (on top of $8 million already allocated) for the EIR on widening Highway 1, and $8.475 million—almost half the total amount requested—for the sneak lanes. Officially called the "Auxiliary Lane Project," these lanes would widen Highway 1 between Morrissey and Soquel. (This project is not to be confused with the "merge lanes" from the Fishhook to Morrissey, which were already under design prior to the defeat of Measure J, and are proported to be primarily a safety project.)

The CTC has a limited amount of money to allocate and most of the counties asking for it have the full support of their residents. Our job is to convince the CTC to save $8.475 million by not giving it to a county that is fiercely divided over the merits of this particular project.

The meeting is scheduled for March 15th at 2:00PM. We'll meet at the Metro Center at 7:30AM to take the bus and train to Sacramento. We'll return by 8:40PM. In addition to going to the CTC meeting, we will visit Assemblyman John Laird and a representative for Governor Schwarzenegger.

The cost of bus and train fare is $51. If you would like to go but can't afford it, some sponsorships are available. AND, if you are able to sponsor someone please contact us.

Why we oppose funding this project:

Our county already voted against Measure J—the ballot initiative whose primary purpose was to widen Highway 1. Almost two-thirds (58%) of county residents voted against Measure J. Supporters of highway widening, such as Supervisor Jan Beautz, are now saying that "people voted against Measure J because of the rail trail and other projects." HOWEVER, the reason that the RTC put other projects in the initiative at all is that a survey that they commissioned in November, 2003 found that the initiative would receive 9% LESS support if it only funded highway widening. Contrary to Beautz's assertion, this suggests that more people voted FOR Measure J due to the inclusion of other projects like the rail trail.

Shortly after Measure J's defeat, Supervisor Beautz quipped, "there is more than one way to widen a highway." These so-called "auxiliary lanes" are designed to sneak around the results of Measure J. Other auxiliary lanes are now being planned for the section of the Highway 1 south of Soquel.

In addition to sneaking around the outcome of Measure J, the current proposal sneaks around the Keeley Commission, an 80-member, county-wide task force headed by ex-Assembly Majority leader Fred Keeley and comprising a wide range of stakeholders from the community. This task force was created after the defeat of Measure J—with the support of the RTC—to determine the county's spending priorities with regard to transportation projects. This task force is scheduled to begin meeting in late March of this year. The sneak lane funding, planning, and EIR completely undermine this community effort to democratically find solutions to transportation issues.

The sneak lane project is being touted as necessary, citing the fact that the segment of the freeway in question is the busiest in the county. No studies have been done on other ways to reduce trips on this part of the freeway. Many of these trips are less than 3 miles. The areas adjacent to this stretch of freeway are cut off from modes of transportation other than driving. The sneak lane project does not include adding pedestrian bridges that are part of the Transportation Commission's plan for the area.

In addition to these practical reasons for opposing the sneak lanes, it also appears that the project is not necessarily legal, due to the fact that there is an ongoing Environmental Impact Report over the larger Highway 1 Widening Project. If it is possible to sue to stop—or delay—the project, environmentalists in Santa Cruz are very likely to do so. A report on the legality of the project by the County Council that was requested by Supervisor Mark Stone has not yet been received by the Commission.

Our reasons for going to Sacramento:

Basically, we have a Transportation Commission that is determined to shove highway widening down our throats. It is going to take the power of the people to stop them. A field trip to Sacramento is sure to be an interesting adventure. In addition to lobbying, it is also a chance to build community and meet friends. There are personal and political histories to be shared and alliances to be made. Peter Scott may sing folk songs on the train.

If you simply cannot take a Wednesday off, please consider helping in one of the following ways:

  1. Circulate a petition to stop the sneak lanes. We have over 1,000 signatures of county residents but could use many more. Please download a petition sheet at peoplepowersc.org or call the office to get one.
  2. Send an email or letter to the California Transportation Commission at:
    California Transportation Commission
    1120 N Street
    Room 2221 (MS-52)
    Sacramento, CA 95814
    PHONE: (916) 654-4245
    FAX: (916) 653-2134
    EMAIL: glenda_hixson@dot.ca.gov
    **EMAIL NOTE** If sending email, it is ESSENTIAL that you state that you want your message forwarded to ALL of the commissioners.

    Correspondence is most valuable if received by March 7th. Please send People Power a copy of anything you send.
  3. Sponsor somebody who can't afford to go. If you have the money but not the time, you can make a donation to help sponsor someone to go in your place. Contact the People Power office at 831-425-0665, or donate online.