LIVERMORE — Tri-Valley bus riders can expect a shorter commute time on one route, thanks in part to buses that will be able to communicate with traffic signals.

The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority broke ground Monday on the $22 million Bus Rapid Transit project. It is expected to create a more efficient route that

will reduce commute times by 20 percent and eliminate the need for a projected 400,000 vehicle trips per year.

The route, which ultimately will have 27 stops, is a modification of the current #10 route that runs from Lawrence Livermore Laboratory through Dublin to Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton.

“The Rapid” is expected to begin service in early 2011 and features 14 new hybrid buses equipped with special sensors that communicate with traffic lights to keep them green longer if a bus is approaching. It is similar to the technology used with police and fire vehicles.

“(The Rapid) is critically important because (Interstate) 580 is an important corridor,” said Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton. “The BRT can relieve some of that congestion and improve the quality of lives for more residents.”

The current #10 route transports more than half of LAVTA’s riders — the system provides 2.2 million rides per year. When complete, The Rapid is expected to provide about 1.5 million rides per year, Paul Matsuoka, LAVTA’s executive director.

Read the complete article by Robert Jordan, Contra Costa Times.

Tags: Newsroom by Tim Sbranti
Comments Off

As part of its 2009-2010 Goals and Objectives, the Dublin City Council identified Disaster Preparedness as an important area of focus. At its last meeting, the City Council decided to host a summit with all Dublin elected officials to discuss how we will work together in the event of an emergency in our community.

Another element of the City’s Disaster Preparedness is working with businesses and families to create a framework for them to each develop their own emergency plan when resources or technical expertise would make it difficult for them to do so. Our City’s website www.ci.dublin.ca.us contains a disaster preparedness template that is broken down into small steps, which will guide individuals through the emergency planning process. The City has posted an online copy of the template plan where residents and businesses can go directly to print out their personalized version. The information can be found on the website using Disaster Preparedness Department link.

Tags: Dublin Updates by Tim Sbranti
Comments Off

For many years, Dublin has been a leader in the East Bay for recycling in single-family residential units. We have increased our diversion rate to an impressive 59% due to the efforts of many of our residents. However, two areas identified for improvement in the City is to increase our commercial and multi-family recycling.

In conjunction with Amador Valley Industries (AVI), City Staff has produced marketing and outreach materials for multifamily and commercial customers. The focus of the campaign is to increase awareness of the City’s recycling programs and promote participation, along with reducing contamination of the recycling stream by residents placing materials in the wrong containers.

Multi-family residential customers will be receiving a Recycling Bag for use in multifamily homes to store recyclables. The bag folds and can be easily stored and used inside of the units. Commercial participants will receive decals for placement in their windows to receive recognition that they are participating in the City’s recycling program.

Recycling brochures containing detailed information about the City’s program with information about which items can and cannot be placed in the recycling bins will be distributed to both businesses and multi-family residents. In addition, a recycling program poster and decals for placement on recycling bins will be distributed as a constant reminder.

These items will be distributed to businesses and residents over the next several months. This is another important step in moving Dublin forward in meeting the City Council’s goal of 75% diversion of materials away from the landfill. We will also continue to work with other major institutions in our City such as the Dublin Unified School District, Dublin San Ramon Services District, and Alameda County to help us towards achieving our ambitious environmental goals.

Tags: Dublin Updates by Tim Sbranti
Comments Off