Addressing Highway 101 and Other Traffic Troubles

By Judy Arnold

Congestion on Highway 101 in Marin County is a major concern. Novato residents who commute south in the morning as I do pay a hefty price. Twice Marin County voters have failed to get a two-thirds vote for a half-cent sales tax for transportation. I have asked the voters of Novato if they would vote for a new half cent sales tax.

As a City Council member, I pledge to be an advocate for commuters as well as intra-city travel.

Congestion on Highway 101 in Marin County is a major concern. Novato residents who commute south in the morning as I do pay a hefty price everyday. Being stuck in traffic costs us time with our families, makes us less mobile, and is a waste of energy. When you combine the economic recovery with the continuing cuts in Golden Gate Transit bus service, you can be sure that congestion will only get worse.

Twice Marin County voters have failed to get a two-thirds vote for a half-cent sales tax for transportation. The Congestion Management Agency (CMA), composed of County Supervisors and City Councilmembers, is considering going to the voters in 2004 to ask Marin once again for a half cent sales tax that will focus on local streets and roads, school access, local transit including paratransit, and local return.

While precinct walking, I have asked the voters of Novato if they would vote for this half cent sales tax They have responded with these questions: Didn't we just pass a bond measure for street improvement? Aren't you going to do anything about 101 congestion? Will the sales tax go to retain the bus routes that Golden Gate Transit is eliminating?

As usual, the voters have gotten to the core of the issue and asked all the right questions.

I will only support a sales tax increase if it ensures that funds will be wisely used and allocated efficiently. I believe any sales tax increase must help alleviate congestion on Highway 101 and make it easier for Novato residents to get to work.

There was planning done some years ago for local jitney buses in Novato. This was done because many of the non-profits and retirement homes in Novato run duplicate jitney service. I would like to look at those plans and funding sources to see if Novato could provide the service and save the expense and duplication of effort that now exists.

Novato is in a unique position because our voters cared enough to pass a bond measure to repair our streets. We deserve to be rewarded by good transportation planning that meets our specific needs.