The East Bay’s location at the heart of the Northern California megaregion marks its importance to the Bay Area economy. Assets like BART, commercial and commuter rail, and an extensive highway system, have established the region as a hub of transportation with the capacity to move people and goods across the state and beyond.
Central to planning for our region is the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), a public agency formed by Contra Costa County voters in 1988 to manage the county’s transportation sales tax program and countywide transportation planning. According to Chris Kelley, Council Member, City of Hercules and CCTA Commissioner, “Contra Costa Transportation Authority is a leader in innovative traffic management strategies. CCTA plays a key role in alleviating congestion, enhancing safety, and promoting sustainable transportation. Furthermore, CCTA pioneers future technologies at GoMentum station, which offers a secure and expansive testing environment for connected and autonomous vehicles.”
CCTA is also the 2024 Legacy Awardee for the 11th annual East Bay Innovation Awards on March 28 at the Oakland Scottish Rite Center, joining a group of honorees who have contributed to regional innovation. East Bay EDA spoke with Timothy Haile, CCTA’s Executive Director, to discuss the past, present, and future of transportation in Contra Costa County and across the East Bay.
Q: Can you discuss some of CCTA’s historical milestones, things that have set up the agency to do the work that’s happening today?
A: The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) was formed in 1988 – and hit the ground running. We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver critical transportation projects efficiently and effectively and to make a positive impact on the quality of life for the East Bay. CCTA built the 4th Caldecott Fourth Bore, extended BART to Pittsburg and Antioch and widened Highway 4. Our reputation for successful delivery has helped us win state and federal grants and funding – significantly increasing the dollars returned to Contra Costa for investments into our transportation system.
In 2014, CCTA repurposed a portion of the Concord Navel Weapon Station into GoMentum Station. GoMentum station was founded with four goals – to create jobs, increase safety, support economic development, and enhance equity. It is one of the largest secure autonomous vehicle proving grounds in the United States and provides a controlled environment for testing and validating technologies related to connected and autonomous vehicles. The technology tested at GoMentum has already improved the safety of vehicles across the globe and has given CCTA a front-row seat to the vehicles of the future. CCTA is currently brining that technology to the public – launching autonomous public transportation pilots throughout Contra Costa County.
CCTA is excited to be at the cutting edge and we look forward to continuing our legacy of innovation.
Q: As transit systems and vehicles electrify and move toward alternative fuels, can you tell us what CCTA is doing to ensure carbon reduction?
A: CCTA has several initiatives focused on helping our community lower carbon emissions and access multimodal travel. We recognize that the transportation sector is critical to meeting environmental goals. To meet these goals, we will need to rely on technology and leverage data to make the most impactful decisions.
One example is our INNOVATE 680 project that aims to reduce congestion on I-680 by using a new data center to help refine the existing transportation system and plan for future projects. The initiative consists of six major projects including part-time transit lanes, express lane build-out, shared mobility hubs, mobility as a service (MaaS), automated driving systems and other advanced technologies. In partnership with local bus operators, CCTA aims to deploy hydrogen fuel-cell buses along I680 that would benefit from the projects listed above and result in more than 2,700 metric tons of C02 emissions avoided per year.
CCTA has also been a leader in promoting EV readiness and adoptions. In 2019, CCTA adopted the Contra Costa Electric Vehicle Readiness Blueprint, which aims to identifying the best locations for charging infrastructure and help cities to adopt development standards and ordinances that encourage electric vehicle (EV) adoption.
Lastly, I must mention our commitment to bike and pedestrian projects. CCTA has – and will continue to develop – plans to build a low-stress bicycle network throughout Contra Costa. This network would enhance the safety and health of our communities by making it easier to reach your destination on bike or on foot. Speaking of, if you’re in need of a bike, please check out the
Charge Up E-Bike Rebate Program – a popular program that helps Contra Costa residents purchase electric bikes with an up to $500 rebate.
Q: If you could jump in a time machine and see the Bay Area 50 years from now, what do you think we will see in terms of transportation and mass transit?
A: I think our transportation system will be smarter, smoother, and more connected. I envision the corridor we are building with Innovate 680 will be commonplace and people will have the ability to easily shift between modes. I think the modes and vehicles we take will be more diverse – we will see more travel by bike and on foot because it will be easier and safer but also by land and sea. We will still be asking; how should we get there? But our options will have significantly increased. Your neighbor may rely on a small electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to get to work.
Our public transportation system will be more accessible and inclusive – and technology will give flexibility and freedom to those who currently have limited options. For example, autonomous vehicles will be able to meet people whenever and wherever – expanding our public transportation system and helping us address first and last mile needs. Using technology, we will have achieved a truly safe transportation system – that delivers on the goals of Vision Zero – a strategy to eliminate all fatalities and severe injuries that result from traffic collisions.
CCTA will receive the 2024 Legacy Award alongside other Finalists and Awardees at the 11th Annual East Bay Innovation Awards. The event is sold out! Learn more about Contra Costa Transportation Authority at https://ccta.net/.