Tell the State to Stop Polluting Our Air and Increasing Traffic!
Next week, on Thursday, June 26, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) will vote on whether to approve funding for projects that will pollute our air, worsen our climate, and increase traffic congestion. We need your support to stop these projects and encourage agencies to invest in clean transportation solutions instead, especially as the Trump Administration dismantles California’s clean air laws. Contact members of the California Transportation Commission (CTC) today to tell them you do not support the funding of highway expansion projects in your community.
The Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) is the state’s most polluting transportation funding program. Once every couple of years, the state spends almost a billion dollars on highway expansion projects to improve truck travel efficiency. However, these projects tend to accomplish the opposite in the long run, since more lanes result in more vehicles on the road, causing both cars and trucks to be stuck in traffic. The additional vehicles generate more exhaust, releasing air pollutants and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the atmosphere, contributing to California’s worsening air quality, increased rates of wildfires, and hotter days.
While the CTC agency plans to fund a dozen highway expansion projects across the state, we identified the top three projects that will have the most impact on our air, environment, and communities:
State Route 71 Gap Closure Project – Phase 2 (Southern California)
- This project would convert a two-mile segment of SR-71 into an 8-lane freeway in Pomona, California. This area of California is already one of the most polluted regions in the nation and is classified as a disadvantaged community. This project would not only increase the air pollution burden on local residents, but would also displace households living near the freeway to make room for the widening. Click here to let CTC know you do not support worsening public health and displacing our most vulnerable communities.
State Route 37 Sears Point to Mare Island Improvement Project (Bay Area)
- This project would add a new tolled lane to State Route 37 near the city of Vallejo. While project proponents claim this new lane will reduce congestion along the SR 37 corridor, studies show that any additional lanes lead to increased traffic, even if they are tolled lanes. Additionally, Caltrans’ analysis shows that this road will be flooded by 2050 due to sea level rise. Click here to tell the CTC not to waste money on a project that will be underwater in a few years!
State Route 132 West Phase 3A Project (Central California)
- This project extends a two-lane expressway bypass near Modesto. Not only does this project admit to resulting in the increase of GHG emissions in the long term, sabotaging our state’s efforts to address climate change and the region’s goal to reduce emissions by 16%, but it will also impact local businesses by redirecting traffic away from the city center. At the same time, the region will continue experiencing higher pollution and noise levels as the traffic is not redirected too far from its original location. Click here to contact CTC and voice your opposition to this project.
Your action today will tell the CTC and the state that Californians don’t want their tax dollars wasted on projects that increase air pollution, displace residents, and contribute to the climate crisis. We know clean air matters to you, and sharing your voice on these issues can make a lasting impact on California’s environmental priorities. Let the CTC know you put breathable air above highways, and contact them today.
SR 71 Sample Message
Please fill out the template letter and submit it to the email listed below. Feel free to use the provided talking points to populate the [ADDITIONAL REASONS TO OPPOSE PROJECT] section in the template letter. Consider personalizing the letter in the highlighted sections or remove those bullet points if you do not wish to do so.
Email your finished letter to: Douglas.Remedios@catc.ca.gov
Honorable Darnell Grisby
Chair, California Transportation Commission
1120 N Street MS 52
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: OPPOSE funding State Route 71 Gap Closure Project – Phase 2 in Trade Corridor Enhancement Program
Dear Chair Grisby and Members of the California Transportation Commission,
I am writing to express my opposition to the inclusion of the State Route 71 Gap Closure Project – Phase 2 in the “program of projects” for the 2025 cycle of the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program.
I am a member of the [NAME OF YOUR HOMETOWN] community, and I am concerned that the State Route 71 Gap Closure Project – Phase 2 will negatively impact our community by increasing the burdens of the freight system on us and our neighbors. Our community experiences a significant amount of diesel truck traffic that pollutes our air and impacts our health, while many of our roads, highways, and freight rail corridors create barriers for families walking, biking, and taking transit.
I strongly support improving the movement of goods throughout California, but I am concerned that the State Route 71 Gap Closure Project – Phase 2 will exacerbate these issues rather than advancing a cleaner and safer environment for all Californians.
[ADDITIONAL REASONS TO OPPOSE PROJECT…]
For these reasons, I respectfully request that you do not fund the State Route 71 Gap Closure Project – Phase 2 at the June 26th CTC Hearing. Instead, I ask that you prioritize projects that will substantially reduce pollution from the freight sector and that directly benefit those most impacted by the freight system. In particular, I urge you to fund more projects that build zero-emission infrastructure, promote public transit, and create safer biking and walking options.
Sincerely,
[NAME]
Talking Points for Template Letter:
State Route 71 Gap Closure Project – Phase 2
Project Description: Converts a two-mile segment of SR-71 into an 8-lane freeway in Pomona.
- I am concerned that this project will significantly worsen local air quality. In particular, this project is shown to increase emissions that lead to the creation of ground-level ozone. Prolonged exposure to this pollutant can result in permanent scarring of the lung tissue and the development of asthma, lung disease, and heart disease.
- The State Route 71 expansion project will also increase particulate matter pollution, which increases the chances of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke, asthma, heart and lung disease, lung cancer, and can even result in premature death for the elderly or those already struggling with respiratory or cardiovascular health issues.
- The Southern California region is already the most polluted area in the nation and our state should not be further worsening our air quality and harming my community.
- Feel free to add information here if you or someone you know has health concerns that could be exacerbated by this project due to increased air pollution.
- I also oppose this project due to the significant adverse climate and housing impacts this project will have on the nearby residents. The city of Pomona and the surrounding areas are already classified as disadvantaged communities under the CalEnviroScreen and should not face undue economic and public health burdens.
- The SR 71 project will significantly widen the road, which will result in the displacement of nearby households. With our state already facing a housing crisis and highway expansion projects displacing hundreds of residents and small businesses, this project will further exacerbate this crisis.
- Additionally, California is already starting to see the impacts of climate change through the increased rate and frequency of wildfires, which also contribute to California’s worsening air quality and the loss of housing.
- If nothing is done to address this crisis, our state will face sea level rise, rising temperatures, and increased natural disasters, exposing my community to additional risk. In fact, Californians are already feeling the impacts of climate change, with almost 500 people dead and over 5,000 hospitalizations from extreme heat events recorded in the last 12 years.
- The Southern California region is already required by law to reduce its GHG emissions by 19% by 2035. This project undermines our region’s efforts to address climate change by significantly increasing local emissions due to increased traffic.
- Feel free to include additional thoughts here on how this project would impact you personally. Examples include unease about climate change impacts, worries about exposure to polluted air, and concerns over loss of housing, increased noise, and higher traffic levels.
SR 37 Sample Message
Please fill out the template letter and submit it to the email listed below. Feel free to use the provided talking points to populate the [ADDITIONAL REASONS TO OPPOSE PROJECT] section in the template letter. Consider personalizing the letter in the highlighted sections or remove those bullet points if you do not wish to do so.
Email your finished letter to: Douglas.Remedios@catc.ca.gov
Honorable Darnell Grisby
Chair, California Transportation Commission
1120 N Street MS 52
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: OPPOSE funding State Route 37 Sears Point to Mare Island Improvement Project in Trade Corridor Enhancement Program
Dear Chair Grisby and Members of the California Transportation Commission,
I am writing to express my opposition to the inclusion of the State Route 37 Sears Point to Mare Island Improvement Project in the “program of projects” for the 2025 cycle of the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program.
I am a member of the [NAME OF YOUR HOMETOWN] community, and I am concerned that the State Route 37 Sears Point to Mare Island Improvement Project will negatively impact our community by increasing the burdens of the freight system on us and our neighbors. Our community experiences a significant amount of diesel truck traffic that pollutes our air and impacts our health, while many of our roads, highways, and freight rail corridors create barriers for families walking, biking, and taking transit.
I strongly support improving the movement of goods throughout California, but I am concerned that the State Route 37 Sears Point to Mare Island Improvement Project will exacerbate these issues rather than advancing a cleaner and safer environment for all Californians.
[ADDITIONAL REASONS TO OPPOSE PROJECT…]
For these reasons, I respectfully request that you do not fund the State Route 37 Sears Point to Mare Island Improvement Project at the June 26th CTC Hearing. Instead, I ask that you prioritize projects that will substantially reduce pollution from the freight sector and that directly benefit those most impacted by the freight system. In particular, I urge you to fund more projects that build zero-emission infrastructure, promote public transit, and create safer biking and walking options.
Sincerely,
[NAME]
Talking Points for Template Letter:
State Route 37 Sears Point to Mare Island Improvement Project
Project Description: Adds a tolled lane to State Route 37 near Vallejo.
- I am concerned that this project will significantly worsen local air quality. In particular, this project is shown to increase emissions that lead to the creation of ground-level ozone. Prolonged exposure to this pollutant can result in permanent scarring of the lung tissue and the development of asthma, lung disease, and heart disease.
- The State Route 37 Expansion project will also increase particulate matter pollution, which increases the chances of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke, asthma, heart and lung disease, lung cancer, and can even result in premature death for the elderly or those already struggling with respiratory or cardiovascular health issues.
- Feel free to add information here if you or someone you know has health concerns that could be exacerbated by this project due to increased air pollution.
- I also oppose this project due to the significant adverse impact this project will have on climate change and California’s efforts to stop it.
- California is already starting to see the impacts of climate change through the increased rate and frequency of wildfires, which contribute to California’s worsening air quality and the loss of housing.
- If nothing is done to address this crisis, our state will face sea level rise, rising temperatures, and increased natural disasters, exposing my community to additional risk. In fact, Californians are already feeling the impacts of climate change, with almost 500 people dead and over 5,000 hospitalizations from extreme heat events recorded in the last 12 years.
- Sea level rise is especially of concern to this project as it will be built over a tidal salt marsh, which is at risk of flooding. Caltrans’s own analysis predicts that SR 37 will be completely flooded by 2050, making this project a terrible investment for our state to make.
- While project supporters claim that this project will help reduce congestion along the SR 37, this project will actually accomplish the opposite in the long term, as the additional lane would incentivize more people to drive. Studies show that any additional lanes lead to increased traffic, even if they are tolled lanes.
- The Bay Area Region is already required by law to reduce its GHG emissions by 19% by 2035. This project undermines our region’s efforts to address climate change by significantly increasing local emissions due to increased traffic.
- Feel free to include additional thoughts here on how this project would impact you personally. Examples include unease about climate change impacts, worries about exposure to polluted air, and concerns over increased noise and traffic levels.
SR 132 Sample Message
Please fill out the template letter and submit it to the email listed below. Feel free to use the provided talking points to populate the [ADDITIONAL REASONS TO OPPOSE PROJECT] section in the template letter. Consider personalizing the letter in the highlighted sections or remove those bullet points if you do not wish to do so.
Email your finished letter to: Douglas.Remedios@catc.ca.gov
Honorable Darnell Grisby
Chair, California Transportation Commission
1120 N Street MS 52
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: OPPOSE funding State Route 132 West Phase 3A Project in Trade Corridor Enhancement Program
Dear Chair Grisby and Members of the California Transportation Commission,
I am writing to express my opposition to the inclusion of the State Route 132 West Phase 3A Project in the “program of projects” for the 2025 cycle of the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program.
I am a member of the [NAME OF YOUR HOMETOWN] community, and I am concerned that the State Route 132 West Phase 3A Project will negatively impact our community by increasing the burdens of the freight system on us and our neighbors. Our community experiences a significant amount of diesel truck traffic that pollutes our air and impacts our health, while many of our roads, highways, and freight rail corridors create barriers for families walking, biking, and taking transit.
I strongly support improving the movement of goods throughout California, but I am concerned that the State Route 132 West Phase 3A Project will exacerbate these issues rather than advancing a cleaner and safer environment for all Californians.
[ADDITIONAL REASONS TO OPPOSE PROJECT…]
For these reasons, I respectfully request that you do not fund the State Route 132 West Phase 3A Project at the June 26th CTC Hearing. Instead, I ask that you prioritize projects that will substantially reduce pollution from the freight sector and that directly benefit those most impacted by the freight system. In particular, I urge you to fund more projects that build zero-emission infrastructure, promote public transit, and create safer biking and walking options.
Sincerely,
[NAME]
Talking Points for Template Letter:
State Route 132 West Phase 3A Project
Project Description: Builds 14 lane miles of a new two-lane expressway bypass near Modesto.
- I am concerned that this project will significantly worsen local air quality. In particular, this project is shown to increase emissions that lead to the creation of ground-level ozone. Prolonged exposure to this pollutant can result in permanent scarring of the lung tissue and the development of asthma, lung disease, and heart disease.
- The State Route 132 project will also increase particulate matter pollution, which increases the chances of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke, asthma, heart and lung disease, lung cancer, and can even result in premature death for the elderly or those already struggling with respiratory or cardiovascular health issues.
- Feel free to add information here if you or someone you know has health concerns that could be exacerbated by this project due to increased air pollution.
- I also oppose this project due to the significant adverse impact this project will have on climate change and California’s efforts to stop it, as project proponents admit this project will result in an increase of GHG emissions in the long term.
- California is already starting to see the impacts of climate change through the increased rate and frequency of wildfires, which contribute to California’s worsening air quality and the loss of housing.
- If nothing is done to address this crisis, our state will face sea level rise, rising temperatures, and increased natural disasters, exposing my community to additional risk. In fact, Californians are already feeling the impacts of climate change, with almost 500 people dead and over 5,000 hospitalizations from extreme heat events recorded in the last 12 years.
- The Stanislaus County region is already required by law to reduce its GHG emissions by 16% by 2035. This project undermines our region’s efforts to address climate change by significantly increasing local emissions due to increased traffic.
- Additionally, this bypass is being proposed because the current corridor passes through residential, commercial, and agricultural areas, which have lower speeds than traditional highways.
- As a result, building this bypass will economically impact the region as traffic is directed away from local businesses, resulting in the loss of revenue. At the same time, the region will continue experiencing higher pollution and noise levels as the traffic is not redirected too far from its original location.
- Feel free to include additional thoughts here on how this project would impact you personally. Examples include unease about climate change impacts, worries about exposure to polluted air, and concerns over damage to local businesses, increased noise, and higher traffic levels.
