Transportation Daily News July 23

Transit and infrastructure:

 

*800 miles of toll lanes on Highway 101, other Bay Area freeways proposed -- A Bay Area transportation commission is proposing the creation of a $3.7 billion, 800-mile-long network of mixed-use carpool and toll lanes on more than 12 freeways in a big new attempt to ease chronic traffic congestion. Called High Occupancy Toll or HOT lanes because they are free to car poolers in rush hour and open to other vehicles for a toll, the network of express lanes would be developed over the next 25 years by a group county, regional and state transportation agencies. The lanes would be established along much of Highway 101 on the Peninsula, Santa Clara County, and in parts of Marin and Sonoma counties. SJ Mercury 7/22/08

 

Traffic deaths fall as gas prices climb -- Researchers with the National Safety Council report a 9 percent drop in motor vehicle deaths overall through May compared with the first five months of 2007, including a drop of 18 percent in March and 14 percent in April. Preliminary figures obtained by The Associated Press show that some states have reported declines of 20 percent or more. Thirty-one states have seen declines of at least 10 percent, and eight states have reported an increase, according to the council. AP 7/23/08

 

Plan to ban cars on part of Market St. -- San Francisco's Market Street from the Embarcadero to Hayes Valley would permanently close to all traffic except for city mass transit vehicles under a proposal announced at City Hall on Tuesday night. Supervisor Chris Daly asked the city attorney to draft legislation to permanently ban cars on Market Street between Octavia Boulevard and the Embarcadero, an idea that has been floated by various city leaders, including former Mayor Willie Brown, for more than a decade. SF Chronicle 7/23/08

 

Emotions high at forum on suicide barrier -- Bridge officials have been accepting comments online, and of the more than 900 tallied so far, an overwhelming 75 percent of the respondents said they prefer that no barrier be built at all. But a small, passionate group of proponents - many of them family members of people who jumped to their deaths from the bridge - insist a barrier is needed. Any barrier.  SF Chronicle 7/23/08

 

Emissions:

 

*White House nixed Calif. emissions rule, ex-EPA official says -- The Environmental Protection Agency told the Bush administration that by law California should be able to set air-quality standards that were tougher than federal law, but President Bush rejected the advice and made clear that he wanted a single national standard, a former EPA official said Tuesday. McClatchy 7/23/08

 

Plug-in hybrids generate buzz in San Jose -- Once known only to a small group of devotees, the ultra-high-mileage cars have generated enough buzz to draw about 650 people to a plug-in conference in San Jose Tuesday. Major auto companies discussed their plans to mass market plug-ins, which operate like regular hybrids but can recharge off a wall socket, greatly extending their mileage. SF Chronicle 7/23/08

 

Shipping:

 

*Shipping company charged in SF Bay oil spill -- A Hong Kong-based shipping company has been charged with obstructing justice in last year's ship accident and spill that dumped 53,000 gallons of toxic fuel into San Francisco Bay. A federal grand jury indicted Fleet Management on Tuesday for allegedly doctoring paperwork in an attempt to thwart investigators after the vessel struck a bridge support. Federal prosecutors announced the indictment on Wednesday. SF Chronicle 7/23/08