Existing transportation funding strained by rising construction costs, population growth, potential decrease in state gas tax revenue

“115 of 1,374 bridges are rated poor/structurally deficient, with significant deterioration” – TRIP Report

By Carolyn Bonifas Kelly, Director of Communication & Research, TRIP

San Francisco, CA – While additional state and federal transportation funding is allowing California to repair and improve roads and bridges, a new report documents looming challenges including population growth, rising congestion, construction cost inflation and declining fuel-tax revenue. The report by The Road Information Program, TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit based in Washington, DC, examines California’s road and bridge conditions, congestion and reliability, highway safety, economic development, vehicle travel trends, and the impact of recent state and federal transportation funding increases.

The TRIP report, “Keeping California Mobile: Providing a Modern, Sustainable Transportation System in the Golden State,” finds that throughout the state, traffic fatalities have increased significantly in the last decade despite recent downward trends, 50 percent of major roads are in poor or mediocre condition, five percent of locally and state-maintained bridges (20 feet or more in length) are rated poor/structurally deficient, and traffic congestion costs the state’s drivers $55 billion annually in lost time and wasted fuel. In addition to statewide data, the TRIP report includes regional pavement and bridge conditions, congestion data, highway safety data, and cost breakdowns for the Los Angeles, Riverside-San Bernardino, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco-Oakland and San Jose urban areas. 

The TRIP report finds that 73 percent of major locally and state-maintained roads in the San Francisco-Oakland urban area are in poor or mediocre condition, costing the average motorist an additional $1,106 each year in extra vehicle operating costs, including accelerated vehicle depreciation, additional repair costs, and increased fuel consumption and tire wear. Statewide, 28 percent of California’s major roads are in poor condition and 22 percent are in mediocre condition. TRIP estimates that the state’s drivers lose $24.2 billion annually in extra vehicle operating costs as a result of driving on deteriorated roads.

In the San Francisco-Oakland area, eight percent of bridges (115 of 1,374 bridges) are rated poor/structurally deficient, with significant deterioration to the bridge deck, supports or other major components. This includes locally and state-maintained bridges that are 20 feet or longer. Statewide, five percent of California’s bridges are rated poor/structurally deficient. Most bridges are designed to last 50 years before major overhaul or replacement. In California, 54 percent of the state’s bridges were built in 1969 or earlier.

According to the TRIP report, traffic congestion in the San Francisco-Oakland area causes 111 annual hours of delay for the average motorist and costs the average driver $3,406 annually in lost time and wasted fuel. On average, San Francisco-Oakland drivers waste 38 gallons of fuel annually due to congestion. Statewide, drivers lose $55 billion annually because of lost time and wasted fuel due to traffic congestion. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, vehicle travel in California dropped by as much as 41 percent in April 2020 (as compared to vehicle travel during the same month the previous year). By 2025, vehicle miles of travel in California had rebounded to five percent below 2019’s pre-pandemic levels. Congestion reduces job accessibility significantly. In California’s six largest metros, the number of jobs accessible within a 40-minute drive during peak hours were reduced by 44 percent in 2023 as a result of traffic congestion.

Traffic crashes in California claimed the lives of 24,508 people from 2019 to 2024. The state’s 2024 traffic fatality rate of 1.19 fatalities for every 100 million miles traveled was slightly lower than the national average of 1.2. The number of traffic fatalities and the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles of travel in California spiked dramatically in 2020 and 2021 before falling each year from 2022 to 2024. But, despite recent progress, from 2014 to 2024 the number of traffic fatalities in California increased 24 percent and the state’s traffic fatality rate increased 29 percent. From 2019 to 2023, 30 percent of those killed in California crashes involving motorized vehicles were pedestrians or bicyclists. In the San Francisco-Oakland area, 36 percent of traffic fatalities between 2019 and 2023 (306 of 934) were pedestrians or bicyclists.

“California’s future depends on transportation infrastructure that can withstand the challenges of a changing climate and a growing population,” said Senator Dave Cortese, chair of the California Senate Transportation Committee. “These investments don’t just move people and goods—they cut emissions, strengthen communities, create jobs, and spur economic growth. The TRIP report makes clear that smart infrastructure investments are among the most powerful tools we have to support California’s workforce and drive long-term economic prosperity.”

Improvements to California’s roads, highways and bridges are funded by local, state and federal governments. In April 2017, the California legislature enacted SB 1 — the Road Repair and Accountability Act. SB 1 increased state revenues for transportation by increasing the state’s gasoline and diesel taxes, implementing a transportation investment fee on vehicles and initiating an annual fee on zero emission vehicles. SB 1 is estimated to increase state revenues for California’s transportation system by an average of $5.2 billion annually through to 2027. In addition to state transportation funding, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed into law on November 2021, provides $25.3 billion in federal funds to the state for highway and bridge investments in California over five years, representing a 29 percent increase in annual federal funding for roads and bridges in the state over the previous federal surface transportation program. The IIJA is set to expire on September 30, 2026.

“California’s transportation system is the backbone of our daily lives, connecting millions of people to work, school, and opportunity,” said Assemblymember Lori Wilson, chair of the California State Assembly Transportation Committee. “The TRIP report provides the proof points behind what we already know: our infrastructure needs are urgent and growing. As we transition to cleaner vehicles and more sustainable mobility, we must secure fair and reliable funding solutions to ensure tomorrow’s infrastructure serves Californians better than today’s.”

The ability of revenue from California’s motor fuel tax – a critical source of state transportation funds – to keep pace with the state’s future transportation needs is likely to erode as a result of increasing vehicle fuel efficiency, the increasing use of electric vehicles and inflation in highway construction costs. The Federal Highway Administration’s national highway construction cost index, which measures labor and materials cost, increased by 48 percent from the beginning of 2022 through the fourth quarter of 2024.

The California Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) found that steps taken by California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including programs and policies that are targeted at increasing the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), increasing the use of lower-carbon fuels, and reducing the number of vehicle miles traveled will reduce state transportation revenues by $4.4 billion over the next decade. This reduction in state transportation spending which is projected to result in poorer road conditions. However, the recent federal rollbacks to California strict emissions requirements will impact these programs and policies.

“Our deteriorating transportation system costs Californians lives, time, and money,” said California Transportation Commissioner Joseph Cruz. “Every investment in improving and maintaining our roads, bridges, and transit networks is an investment in people. These projects don’t just build infrastructure – they create good jobs, support local economies, and ensure California’s workforce is at the center of the solution.”

The efficiency and condition of California’s transportation system, particularly its highways, is critical to the health of the state’s economy. In 2023 California’s freight system moved 1.4 billion tons of freight, valued at $2.8 trillion. From 2022 to 2050, freight moved annually in California by trucks is expected to increase 65 percent by weight and 100 percent by value (inflation-adjusted dollars). The design, construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructure in California supports approximately 420,000 full-time jobs across all sectors of the state economy. Approximately 7.1 million full-time jobs in California in key industries like tourism, retail sales, agriculture and manufacturing are dependent on the quality, safety and reliability of the state’s transportation infrastructure network.

“California’s transportation dollars are already being stretched thin by increased inflation in construction costs and declining fuel tax revenue,” said Dave Kearby, TRIP’s executive director. “Without additional transportation investment, needed projects that would make the state’s roads safer, smoother and more efficient will not move forward.”

Enter for a chance to win $100!

By Contra Costa Transportation Authority

Every trip matters! No matter if you’re driving to work, catching BART, biking to school, or strolling your neighborhood, we have a plan to make traveling around our county easier, safer, and smarter.

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is updating your Countywide Transportation Plan (CTP), and we’re asking residents to weigh in on the next 25 years of investments that will keep our communities moving smoothly and sustainably.

What’s on the Table?

In 2024, CCTA surveyed residents to find out what transportation solutions were most needed in their Contra Costa community — and thousands of you responded! Public engagement in early 2025 identified strategies for improving transportation

Based on your feedback, CCTA has created a series of Transformative Visions — bold project and program ideas that are visionary and will bring safer streets, more reliable transit, cleaner air, and more access to good transportation options for every corner of Contra Costa County. Your feedback will help us refine these ideas and decide which deserve top priority.

These visions are:

• Create People-First Transportation Spaces: Redesign streets to put people first, making everyday travel safer, easier, and more comfortable.
• Provide a Complete, Reliable Transit Network: Expand fast and reliable bus, shuttle, rail, and ferry services that come more often and connect you to key places.
• Provide Reliable Freeway Travel: Keep freeways moving smoothly by reducing backups from crashes, better using existing travel lanes, and fixing bottlenecks.
• Build Vibrant Communities: Revitalize and create places where people can live, gather, and connect to natural and community destinations.

Learn more about these Transformative Visions. Complete this brief survey to tell us which best fits YOUR vision for Contra Costa County. Your feedback will help us refine and update these Transformative Visions to show what the Plan’s focus should be for transportation investments in the next 25 years.

Why Take the Survey?

• Influence real projects. Your answers guide where billions in transportation funds are spent.
• It’s quick. The survey is mobile-friendly and takes just a few minutes.
• Perks! Complete it and you can enter a drawing to win one of five $100 virtual Visa gift cards—the sooner you participate, the more chances you’ll have to win.
• Survey window. The questionnaire is open through September 30, so don’t wait.

Click to take the survey.

We greatly appreciate your feedback. Individuals who complete this survey may enter a drawing to win one of five $100 virtual VISA gift cards. Winners’ names will be drawn throughout the survey period, so the earlier you take the survey, the more chances you will have to win! The survey is open through September 30.

“The New TDT Network” brings community-driven changes to nearly all of the agency’s bus routes

By Leeann Loroño, Manager of Customer Service and Marketing, Tri Delta Transit

After canvassing East County for input from riders and residents over the last year, Tri Delta Transit (also known as East Contra Costa Transit Authority) is poised to launch a significant realignment of its transit system, offering service that is faster, more direct and more frequent beginning Aug. 10.

Dubbed “The New TDT Network,” this realignment brings sweeping changes to nearly every Tri Delta Transit route, informed by a blend of public feedback and data analysis. Bus routes across the system have been made faster and more direct, with better connectivity between buses and BART.

A brief video highlighting the major changes of the new network – and how they were determined – is available at revitalizetridelta.com.

Busier areas will see more frequent and consistent service, with improved weekend service across the board. The updated system introduces a brand-new route running every 15 minutes, along with four additional routes operating every 30 minutes, making morning commutes smoother for bus riders.

“We wanted to be sure these changes served local riders – particularly those who rely on transit for their morning commutes,” said Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis, who chairs Tri Delta Transit’s Board of Directors. “These updated routes – including Tri Delta Transit’s first route to run every 15 minutes – will not only greatly improve commutes for those who already ride but open up new possibilities for those whose schedules didn’t align with the previous system.”

Integration with Tri MyRide has also been expanded to better serve the Brentwood, Antioch and Oakley areas, while maintaining existing coverage in the Pittsburg and Bay Point area.

“From the beginning of the New TDT Network initiative, our goal has been to ensure that the new network is able to better meet the needs of the communities we serve,” said Rashidi Barnes, CEO of Tri Delta Transit. “This new network is a direct result of that goal and aligns with everything we’ve heard from the public over the last year. Our riders can look forward to consistent bus service with lower wait times that offer faster, more direct routes to where they need to be.”

For details on specific route changes and other information about The New TDT Network, visit revitalizetridelta.com.

About Tri Delta Transit

Tri Delta Transit provides over 2,000,000 trips each year to a population of over 315,000 residents in the 225 square miles of eastern Contra Costa County. For additional information about the Tri Delta Transit, please visit www.trideltatransit.com.

A legislatively mandated and voter-approved gas tax increase of 1.6 cents and updated fuel standards that could, according to experts, translate to 5 to 8 cents not 65 cents per gallon

What you need to know: There are many disingenuous claims swirling about California gas prices “set to soar” – the truth is that gas prices won’t come anywhere close to increasing by 65 cents, as many would have you believe.  

By Office of the California Governor

SACRAMENTO – California gas prices are 20 cents lower than one month ago and 17 cents lower than one year ago – despite a swirl of misinformation drawing attention to current prices.

According to a 2024 report, thanks to major improvements in fuel efficiency, California drivers rank 45th in the nation for gasoline consumption and 21st in spending on gasoline per capita. Trump’s tariffs and policies impacting the price of crude oil stand to swing gas prices far more than any state policy. 

Driven by misinformation pushed by Republican lawmakers and the oil industry, there remains a lot of speculation about California gas prices. Here are the facts.

CLAIM: California gas prices will go up by 65 cents or higher on July 1. 

FALSE. There are two separate changes to fuel prices expected on or around July 1 – a legislatively mandated and voter-approved gas tax increase of 1.6 cents and updated fuel standards that could, according to experts, translate to 5 to 8 cents. 

• Gas tax: California’s gasoline tax will increase by 1.6 cents per gallon, starting July 1, as required by law. This annual inflation increase was enacted by the Legislature in 2017 to help pay for road repairs – and overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2018 when they rejected a repeal attempt. 
• Fuel standard: Additionally, changes to the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) – which is not a tax – have been requested to go into effect on July 1. Experts at UC Davis estimate this program, first established by Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, could add between 5 and 8 cents per gallon – well below one extreme projection that showed 65 cents. In the long term, LCFS is estimated to reduce fuel costs for Californians per mile by 42% – translating to savings of over $20 billion in gasoline costs every year by 2045. Studies also show that LCFS credit prices have no correlation with gasoline prices.

CLAIM: Gas prices could top $8 a gallon by next year.  

FALSE. That number – widely reported in the media – comes from an unscientific analysis whose author has close ties with the oil industry and has been on the payroll of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The author fails to provide evidence to support his main claim and only relies on vague references to models with no details on what those models are based on. Other experts, such as these Stanford economists, say gas price increases based on recent refinery announcements are likely to be negligible.

CalTax Says Gas Tax Will Increase to 61.2 Cents per Gallon

According to the California Taxpayers Association, California’s excise tax on gasoline will increase to 61.2 cents per gallon July 1, an increase of 1.6 cents per gallon over the current rate of 59.6 cents per gallon, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration announced June 4.

The tax rate on diesel fuel – a matter of great interest for many businesses, especially those in the trucking and agricultural industries – will increase from 45.4 cents per gallon to 46.6 cents per gallon, likely leading to higher costs for consumers for many goods and services.

The tax increases are in addition to any other increases that may be imposed as a result of fuel standards developed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Increases resulting from CARB actions also would take effect July 1.

The gas tax rate has more than doubled during the past 10 years. The largest year-to-year increase occurred in 2017 as a result of SB 1 (Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017), which increased gas tax by 12 cents per gallon and increased the diesel tax by 20 cents per gallon (both effective November 1, 2017) and required that the rates be adjusted annually based on the California Consumer Price Index.

Although Californians often mention vehicle-related taxes as a topic of major concern – and cited an increase in the vehicle license tax as a major factor in their decision to recall Governor Gray Davis in 2003 – the CDTFA did not issue a news release or use its social media channels to alert the media or general public to the increase. Instead, the increase was posted on the agency’s website as a special notice to retailers of gas and diesel fuels.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

The Contra Costa County Fair is coming May 15-18th. Tri Delta Transit goes to the fair, and so should you.

Enter to win a four pack of tickets to the County Fair. Four people will win! Visit www.trideltatransit.com

for details and how to enter. Come visit our booth at the fair.

As well as receiving $850,000 Transit-Oriented Communities grant; trails and bike lane improvements; increase in construction costs for desal plant; costs of search for City Attorney, 4 other positions

Hold budget study session on City Manager’s office, Community Development and Economic Development Department

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, the Antioch City Council will consider approving a lease for a police substation at Sycamore Square and expanding search firm services for the hiring of a permanent City Attorney and four other positions.

Plus, under the Consent Calendar, the Council will consider receiving an $850,000 grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, spending $160,000 to maintain and service the Antioch Library, $192,000 on asphalt overlay on a park pathway and trail, $289,000 more on the brackish water desalination plant construction, over $1.5 million for the L Street Pathway to Transit – Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements, and spending $602,000 more in State funds on the City’s violence prevention program.

Before the regular session begins at 7:00 p.m., the council will hold a Closed Session to discuss a potential lawsuit against the City beginning at 4:00 p.m. That will be followed by a Study Session beginning at 4:30 p.m. to review the 2025-27 Fiscal Year budgets for the city manager’s office and Community Development and Economic Development Department.

Sycamore Square Police Substation

Under Item 10. the Council will consider approving an 18-month lease agreement between the City of Antioch and Yahya Korin Sycamore Square LLC for a Police Department Substation located at 1084 Sycamore Drive, at a cost not to exceed $33,127.50.

The total includes Lease Costs:

• Monthly rent of $1.00 from July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025 (3 months = $3.00)

• Monthly rent of $840.00 from October 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026 (15 months = $12,600)

• Lease Subtotal: $12,603.00

Ballistic Glass and Installation:

• City’s 50% share of the total $21,049.00 cost = $10,524.50

Substation Setup Costs:

• One-time expenditures for furnishings, signage, technology, and operational readiness = $10,000.00

Contract with Search Firm for 5 City Positions

In addition, under Item 9, the council will consider approving the first amendment to the Consulting Services Agreement for executive-level recruitment services with Bob Hall and Associates for the positions of City Attorney, Community Development Director, Parks and Recreation Director, Assistant City Engineer, and a fifth position Yet to Be Determined. In addition, City staff is asking the Council to authorize an extension of the contract through December 31, 2025, and an increase of $119,700, for a total contract amount not to exceed $174,700.

Consent Calendar

Under the Consent Calendar, the Council will consider 18 items, in addition to six past meeting minutes, including Item J., receiving an “$850,000 grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (“MTC”) and committing the City of Antioch towards taking steps to achieve compliance with the MTC Transit-Oriented Communities (“TOC”) Policy as a condition of grant award.”

According to the City staff report for the item, “The TOC Policy applies to areas within 1/2-mile of existing and planned fixed-guideway transit stops and stations, including regional and commuter rail, light-rail transit, bus rapid transit, and ferries. In Antioch, the policy applies to the 1/2-mile radius surrounding the Antioch BART station.

“Jurisdictions subject to the TOC Policy must comply with four elements by early 2026:

1. Minimum residential and commercial office densities for new development.
2. Affordable housing production, preservation and protection, and stabilizing businesses to prevent displacement.
3. Parking management.
4. Transit station access and circulation.

“As a ‘Tier 3’ station area, Antioch will be required to develop at an average minimum residential density of 50 units/net acre, and commercial office density of 2 FAR or higher within the 1/2-mile radius. Maximum densities must be at least 75 units/acre for residential and 4 FAR for commercial. The policy also requires Antioch to adopt certain affordable housing policies, commercial stabilization policies, parking management policies (including new parking minimum and maximums) and station access and circulation policies.

“Jurisdictions that are subject to and comply with the policy are expected to be more competitive for MTC discretionary funding, including OBAG funds. MTC has directed jurisdictions to anticipate demonstrating compliance prior to the adoption of OBAG 4, expected in early 2026. OBAG is an important source of funding for the City of Antioch’s transportation projects, and across the 3 OBAG rounds to date, Antioch will receive a total of $7,860,034.”

In addition, under Item L., the Council will consider spending $160,517 on maintenance and service for the Contra Costa County library branch on W. 18th Street for Fiscal Year 2025-26.

Under Item N., the Council will consider spending up to $191,792.40 for Asphalt Trail Overlay of Mesa Ridge trail and Village East Park pathway from the Gas Tax fund as part of the City’s Trail Maintenance Program.

Under Item S., the Council will consider approving the fourth amendment to the Consulting Services Agreement with CDM Smith, Inc. for construction management services related to the Brackish Water Desalination Project in the amount of $288,393 for a total contract amount of $8,526,913, and extending the term of the agreement to December 31, 2025.

Under Item T., the Council will consider approving a contract for the L Street Pathway to Transit – Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements, Phase 1 for a total amount not to exceed $1,536,547.02.  The FY 2024/25 Capital Improvement Budget includes $1,200,000 of Measure J (the County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation) funding and $1,469,000 of One Bay Area Grant 2 (OBAG2) funds (of $900 million in federal transportation funding from the Federal Highway Administration).

According to the City staff report for the item, “This project will consist of improving connectivity and pedestrian safety along L Street by repairing and reconstructing deteriorating or uneven concrete curb, gutter, sidewalk, driveways and curb ramps, performing minor median island modifications, pavement resurfacing, and installing pedestrian safety flashing beacons at various locations. The project will also include re-striping to provide a Class 11 bike lane on L Street from 10th Street to the Antioch Marina circle and a Class 111 bike route from Lemontree Way to Sycamore Drive.

Finally, under Item U., the Council will consider approving the second amendment to the Consulting Services Agreement with One Day at a Time (ODAT), for the 2022-25 City of Antioch’s California Violence Intervention and Prevention (CalVIP) in Antioch’s most impacted neighborhoods.

It increases the amount of the agreement with ODAT by $602,000 in CalVIP grant funding for a total not to exceed $942,000 and extends the term of the agreement through June 30, 2026. There is no impact to the City’s General Fund.

According to the City staff report for the item, “ODAT’s responsibilities include recruiting, hiring, and supporting additional Neighborhood Change Agents who serve as transformational mentors to participants at the highest risk of gun violence involvement. Through consistent, street-level engagement, ODAT plays a critical role in interrupting cycles of retaliation, offering healing pathways, and fostering long-term opportunity.”

Meeting Details

The Budget Session and regular meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street, in historic, downtown Rivertown. It can be viewed via livestream on the City’s website or on Comcast local access cable Channel 24 of AT&T U-verse Channel 99. Members of the public can speak up to three minutes on general matters at either the beginning or end of the meeting, and on agendized items during the meeting.

Read the Council meeting Full Package.

That plus, new working group part of efforts to prevent closure in 2027

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Antioch City Council approved spending an additional $225,000 for the Amtrak Station Upgrades on a 5-0 vote. That brings the total allocated for the project to $375,000. The additional funds will be paid from Gas Tax revenue the City receives.

As previously reported, the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors voted in March 2023 to decommission the Antioch-Pittsburg San Joaquins Passenger Stop, known as the Antioch Amtrak Station, due to ongoing problems dating back 15 years of homelessness, riders not paying fares, vandalism and violence, including against train personnel.

The SJJPA Board then held a meeting last September at which then-Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe offered a proposed plan to keep the station open. That required council action. The board members and executive director left open the possibility of keeping the station opened if a plan was approved and implemented to improve the area. But it was also mentioned that the City would need to meet with Amtrak staff to get their buy-in, as well as BNSF, which owns the track and right-of-way. (See related articles here and here)

According to the staff report for Item 2 on Tuesday night’s agenda, “On Oct. 22, 2024, the City Council provided direction to City Staff to improve the area surrounding the Amtrak Station…including enhanced safety and ADA accessibility compliance.”  Staff developed improvements and upgrades to the station including beautification and needed structural changes at the location.

They include a transit shelter, benches, concrete paths, fencing along the northern edge of the walkway, signage, additional lighting, shrubs and trees.

During his presentation to the Council, Public Works Director Scott Buenting said, “The concept here is to provide a fare-only zone…for people that are using the Amtrak Station to be…not to be for…any other usage.”

“This is still a conceptual plan,” he added. “It is something we’d like to move forward with relatively quickly. It is something that we think will be a betterment to the area and provide us with a better chance of keeping the Amtrak Station in the future.”

Public Comments

Resident Andrew Becker said, “I was under the direct impression that Antioch was not going to be keeping its Amtrak Station open under its current model. If the City wanted to keep its Amtrak Station opened it needed to meet the requirements that they had already set forth.”

“My understanding was that there either needed to be a secondary sidetrack for the mainline or that it needed to move further down the line,” he continued. “And that the only way it could stay was when Amtrak started using future generation models that allowed them to speed up and slow down quicker.”

“So, if there were any other conversations between the rail authority, Amtrak and the City…I would be curious to know what those updates are,” Becker stated. “Because if there are…no other updates, why are we spending significant dollars and time on improving a station that we don’t have any authority of keeping.”

“If we do need to move the station to keep the Antioch-Pittsburg Station open, why are we not exploring other opportunities?” he asked.  

 A resident named Dean said, “I definitely don’t think we need to worry about a train station when we got broken glass all up and down Second Street and you know, spending any kind of money…to add bushes to…this area…it’s not what we really need to do. We need to revitalize the downtown area and make it a vital place for a train to stop.”

He then mentioned the homeless residents encamped nearby and damage to the lighting fixtures along the Promenade as matters that should be addressed first.

Council Questions, Discussion and Vote

District 3 Councilman Don Freitas asked, “Is there any update? I think it’s a legitimate question.”

City Manager Bessie Scott responded, “We have an Amtrak Station working group that just started to meet. One of the things that they let us know was that they could stop that stop, now or in three years when the other station (in Oakley) breaks ground.”

“Because we have to maintain it on City property, we have to be ADA-compliant so, we needed to make these upgrades,” she continued. “Also, like the gentleman was saying, there are things that are happening that diminishes our downtown businesses on the waterfront that we need to address, as well.”

“So, it isn’t just because the stop has been decommissioned,” Scott stated. “It’s because we want to keep it open for the next three years and go back to the Joint Powers association in a couple months to see if it will permanently be kept open. So, we’re making the upgrades we needed anyway, for the area as it’s City-owned property.”

District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson then asked Buenting if the plants “were drought-tolerant or native.”

“Yes. They will be drought-tolerant,” he replied. “They’ll be native to California.”

Freitas then said, “You asked us for some input. A lot of color in that area would be great, too…so, it brightens up that whole area,” to which District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker nodded her head and said, “mmm, hmmm.”

He then asked about the Cannery Lady statue and the adjacent pathway.

Buenting responded, “That pathway would not be part of the fare-only zone. It would be to the north of that pathway.”

Torres-Walker than said with a laugh while looking at Freitas, “Thank you for saying we need more color. I’m happy to provide that up here on the council.”

She then asked Scott, “So, we can have the Amtrak shut down, now or we can do these improvements and have access to it for the next three years and potentially go back to the table?”

“That’s right. We’re going back to the table in a few months,” the city manager responded. “So, it’s a…process.”

“But if we don’t do any of this,” the councilwoman began to say before Scott cut in saying, “Yeah, we had some safety concerns, some ADA-compliance issues and findings…around there. So, we needed do it.”

Mayor Ron Bernal then said, “I would like to do anything we can to improve that area and make sure that its viable and attractive for people that are coming in and out of Antioch with the hopes, ultimately of keeping that station open. I think we should do everything to keep that station open and operable and I think this is a step in that…direction.”

District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha spoke last asking, “How long are we anticipating the use of this track before the Oakley Station could potentially get built? I’ve received a number of communications from the public asking, are we doing enough to advocate…to take steps forward to beautify that area, to make it accessible? So, I think this is a step in that direction.”

“There’s no guarantee, I realize that,” he continued. “But I think it’s the best that we can do. I think we are charged with advocating to keep that Amtrak Station open to the best of our ability. And I think it’s worth the effort.”

“Out of the 20 stations, Antioch is right in the middle as far as ridership,” Scott pointed out. “It’s about 100 a day…larger than people realize. So, it’s incumbent upon us to keep it open.”

Bernal then asked Buenting, “to make sure Amtrak is happy with the design,” to which staff agreed.

The Council than approved the design and additional expenditure for the station upgrades on a 5-0 vote.

By Antioch Police Department

St. Patrick’s Day is a time to celebrate with friends, family and good cheer. However, as the festivities often include alcohol, The Antioch Police Department is urging everyone to prioritize safety and avoid driving under the influence. Don’t rely on luck—plan ahead and make sure you have a sober way to get home.

In 2022 alone, there were 74 drunk-driving fatalities during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). More than 13,500 preventable deaths throughout 2022 involved drunk driving, representing 32% of all traffic fatalities in the United States that year.

Additional officers will be on during the weekend looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

“Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day responsibly is about protecting not just yourself but everyone on the road,” said Sergeant Rob Green. “Let’s work together to make this holiday memorable for all the right reasons. Make a plan for a safe ride home.”

Plan for a Safe Celebration
Before heading out for St. Patrick’s Day festivities, follow these tips to stay safe:
• Designate a Sober Driver: Choose someone ahead of time who will stay alcohol-free and make sure everyone gets home safely.
• Use Ride-Sharing Services or Public Transportation: Apps and transit options are great alternatives to driving if you’ve been drinking.
• Look Out for Others: Don’t let friends or family members drive impaired. Take their keys and help arrange a safe, sober ride.
• Stay Alert: Watch for impaired drivers on the road and report them to local law enforcement by calling 925-778-2441, or for emergencies, 9-1-1.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.