Things are heating up on the I-80 freeway widening project. Last week, Cool Davis held a Freeway Teach-in with Professor Susan Handy of the ITS at UC Davis, Nailah Pope-Harden, the ED of Climate Plan, Autumn Bernstein, the ED of the Yolo Transportation District and Don Mooney, a lawyer were on a panel discussing the project and implications for the region. The "teach-in" centered on understanding the concept of induced demand, and what strategies are to be deployed on I-80 and the Yolo Causeway. A recent op-ed in the Sac Bee outlines the project and the climate issues. Find it here. Be aware that highway expansion is a statewide issue that extends across transportation agencies.

Why does SABA care about this as a bicycle advocacy organization?

We care about climate change and we care about our roads. While cyclists are not on the freeway, they are on the Causeway bike path which links Sacramento and West Sac to Davis. Commuters and recreational cyclists cross the Causeway by bike 365 days a year, and that stretch of bike lane is one of the worst in the state for riders' health, noise pollution and poor maintenance. When huge sums of money are going to widen the freeway for higher vehicle volume, then we have a stake in what is on tap for cyclists. And at first glance - nothing. Mitigation strategies are added to projects such as these, which are strategies to offset the increase in VMT (vehicle miles traveled). Improving bike and pedestrian infrastructure is often included in the list of mitigation, but in this case, there's no mention of any improvements to the Causeway bike path, or any bike/pedestrian infrastructure on either side of the Causeway. See this draft of the mitigation strategies.

What can you do?

1. Take 5 minutes to learn about this issue - it affects all of us.
2. Take this survey, if you haven't.
3. Bring it up in conversation - tell your neighbors and friends.
4. Stay engaged. For more info and updates, reach out to Alan Hirsch.