By KATHERINE PETERSEN
Sunnyvale can expect to see an increase in road maintenance and improvements and a decrease in traffic congestion if Measures A and B pass Nov. 5, the measures' supporters say.
Opponents argue that improved freeways will invite more long-distance traffic, making the county's daily commute worse than it already is.
The two ballot measures, designed to improve roads and transit in Santa Clara County, aim to raise the county's sales tax by a half-cent to fund transportation planning and traffic relief.
"One of the biggest frustrations for residents countywide is the conditions of our roads. For those of us who live, work or travel in Cupertino and Sunnyvale, Measures A and B finally synchronize the signals on all of our expressways, including Lawrence, San Tomas, Central and Foothill," said Carl Guardino, campaign manager for the Citizens Coalition for Traffic Relief and government affairs manager for Hewlett-Packard.
The measures will also increase CalTrain commuter rail service, which makes two stops in Sunnyvale. The measure would provide a link from Santa Clara County to the BART system in Alameda County.
Organizers of the campaign expect Cupertino to receive $200,000 annually and Sunnyvale to receive $600,000 annually for road improvements and repairs from the revenue generated by the tax, which, if approved, would take effect April 1. The average cost per resident is $32 per year. Currently, motorists spend an average of $758 per year in time lost in traffic, extra gas and wear and tear on vehicles, according to a study of transportation in Santa Clara County by the Texas Transportation Institute.
David Vossbrink, Sunnyvale's community relations officer, said that the city will be able to use much of its portion of the money for capital improvements because of an aggressive road maintenance program already in place.
"That's not to say we don't have any potholes, but we try to stay on top of all road repairs," he said.
Interchange improvements, which are slated to occur, could also ease traffic congestion for residents and commuters, Vossbrink said.
"It's an indirect impact, but it will be beneficial," he said, citing interchanges at Highway 237 and Interstate 880 in Milpitas and at highways 101 and 85 in Mountain View as examples. "These interchanges are not in Sunnyvale, but their improvements will affect traffic traveling to and from the city."
Cupertino City Manager Don Brown said the measures will benefit Cupertino through the funding for road maintenance and improvements. He added that improvements to the countywide system will benefit all cities. Cupertino currently has some unfunded road projects, such as widening local streets and installing new curbs and gutters in older areas.
"Obviously, the local money will benefit us, but the thing that will slow down growth here faster than anything is traffic that can't be managed. Improvements throughout the county will benefit Cupertino because it will make the valley so much stronger in terms of quality of life and economic development potential," he said.
Measure A is an advisory vote that stipulates how voters would like the tax money spent. It lists street repair, freeway improvements and light-rail links to BART among its priorities.
Measure B is the initiative which would enact the sales tax, raising it from 7.75 percent to 8.25 percent. It also would establish a "watchdog" committee of citizens to oversee how the monies are spent.
Both measures must pass by a simple majority vote before the county can levy the tax. The tax would continue for nine years, through March 31, 2006. All of the projects outlined in Measure A are expected to be completed during that time.
Deputy campaign manager Leslee Coleman said the measures' supporters chose projects for which rights of way have been purchased and initial plans already made.
The measures have been endorsed by numerous environmental groups, community organizations, businesses and elected officials in Santa Clara County, including the Sunnyvale City Council and the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce.
Opponents of the measure argue that the Measure A projects were chosen by special interests without public input and that expanding and improving area roadways will only fuel traffic problems.
"Freeway construction increases car usage, and conversely, freeway demolition decreases car usage, as was shown by the Central Freeway closure in San Francisco," said Akos Szoboszlay, president of the Modern Transit Society, a nonprofit group based in San Jose. "Traffic adjusts to conditions."
This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, October 16, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.