Menaker's discussion appears to have centered around infrastructure. While area freeway interchanges are plenty beefy, the A's propose additional lanes and even another on-ramp to accommodate the projected 10,862 auto trips for each game. I'll go point-by-point on several of the new developments:
To accommodate autos, Menaker said parking would be sited in various designated areas on the east side of I-880. He added parking had originally been slated to be in the Fountains Business Park.That's a major departure from the original development plan. The area east of 880 is far more developed than the project area, which makes me wonder if the A's have acquired even more properties in Fremont. They'd also have to get the fans across the freeway safely, which would require either a long pedestrian bridge over the Nimitz or more shuttles. It's a bit of a headscratcher until there are more details. It's not stated how much parking would go in that area. 10%? 20%? 50%?
I believe that's Nobel Way, not Noble Way. The combined effect of these changes will be to make the additional traffic run more smoothly - though it may be as much aimed at the new residential and commercial traffic as it is the ballpark. The onramp is an intriguing proposition, though I have no idea where it would go.Saying the A's also know this will increase congestion in Fremont, Menaker said the team will make a number of improvements to existing roadways, including adding a second westbound turn lane from Stevenson Boulevard to Boyce Road.
A third westbound lane will be installed on Auto Mall Parkway from Cushing Parkway to Noble Way, and an additional offramp from I-880 to Auto Mall Parkway will be built.
A second right turn lane from Fremont Boulevard to Cushing Parkway will be installed, but only used on game days, he said.
He added various traffic light improvements will also be made, and also only apply on game days.
As motorists near the stadium, there will be permanent signage directing where they can and cannot park. He said the team would pay for all aspects of traffic management, including traffic and security officers.
"Everything we do in parking management will be to keep people from parking in Costco's lot and Pacific Commons," Menaker said, adding the team will pay for security personnel, monitors, and enforcement which he called security zones.
As for parking, the A's are proposing a validation scheme for shoppers and employees. Previously I expressed skepticism about validation and remain so, simply from the notion that the big box retailers generally frown upon validation in general.
While I am impressed with the expansive nature of Menaker's traffic discussion, there remain questions about how to placate all of the various constituent groups in the area. The additional infrastructure, which the A's say they will pay for, will be expensive. I'm curious to find out how they will pay for it, as well as further traffic and parking plan details. The role of technology may be important as well, since RFID could help streamline parking management.
At this point I'm only certain of one thing: the traffic and parking study will be a bit larger than a fold-up pamphlet.
2 comments:
Elements of the BART extension are well underway: new underpass and BART bridge on Paseo Padre and new overpass on Washington Blvd. The big job, of course, is the tunnel under Lake Elizabeth and that hasn't started yet.
Sounds like they have big plans for the parking and other auto-related management issues. Now if they can work out the BART shuttle and a new ACE/CC station, the transportation plan will be complete.
None of that will keep the loonies from blathering about the impending "traffic disaster" but they're a lost cause anyway.
With the Warm Springs BART extension underway, I think it's safe to assume the San Jose/SC extension will come shortly after; even if the proposed 1/8 cent sales tax hike is defeated in SCCo. Remember, the WSX was contingent on BART to SJ becoming a reality. My theory: Passage of the high-speed rail bond (Prop.1A) will provide operations/maintenance monies for the SJ extension, as the BART line from the East Bay to Diridon Station will act as a "feeder line" to the main HSR line ($950 million of the bond would go toward feeder lines). Prop. 1A is currently polling %58-62 in favor. Focus could then be put on building a Las Vegas-style people mover from the Warm Springs BART station to Pac Commons/Cisco Field. Just my theory.
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