State grant will help to plan transit options in East County

A study to seek new transit options between Antioch and Brentwood will soon get under way thanks to at $755,000 state grant.

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority learned this week it was awarded a Caltrans SB1 Sustainable Communities Planning Grant to support a two-year study to develop frequent, fast, high-capacity transit connections between the two cities. The East County Integrated Transit Study will look for options that will work with existing local and regional services, such as the Antioch BART station and Tri Delta Transit local bus service, according to CCTA officials.

Officials also will look at ways to improve connections to Capitol Corridor and ACE rail services, as well as proposed ferry service between Antioch and Martinez. As part of its commitment to sustainable communities, CCTA will focus on new, zero-emission public transit options, CCTA officials said.

“Now that Highway 4 has been modernized to improve access to Eastern Contra Costa, I am pleased that we were successful in obtaining these funds to plan for a future that provides more transportation options to support economic growth and mobility for our residents,” State Assemblymember Jim Frazier said.

CCTA Executive Director Randell Iwasaki said his agency is always looking for new transit technology that can integrate with existing systems. The goal is “to create a smart, efficient network that easily connects people to their desired destinations,” he said.

“We are  looking for what is going to fit beyond the Antioch BART extension, what is the most feasible option to add to a very successful transit line,” Iwasaki said. “We are always looking for the opportunity to study the next generation of extensions.”

Iwasaki said the Antioch BART extension was much more successful than officials had thought it would be, which encouraged officials to look at more transit extension possibilities.

“We are excited about the overwhelming acceptance of that transit option (Antioch BART),” he said.  “We didn’t realize that many people would actually take (mass) transit — if it’s going to  be that successful, let’s look at taking it all the way out to Brentwood.”

Besides potential diesel eBart cars, Iwasaki said the study likely will look at other options between the two cities, such as fast mini-shuttles running in the medians, rapid transportation buses and more.

“Why not have a state-of-the art transportation system that serves East County?” he said. “We will look at the options, what’s available, what makes it convenient for people out there.”

Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor, CCTA board chair, applauded CCTA for being “forward-looking” when it came to the area’s transportation system.

“I’ve always predicted a bright future for Eastern Contra Costa County and this grant win lays the foundation for the communities along Highway 4 to connect, grow and prosper,” he said.

Iwasaki said the grant requires a 11.47-percent or $97,818 local fund match, and is expected to get under way by October or November.

For more information, go to www.ccta.net.