Damien Newton

Following the recommendations of a 2019 Santa Clara County Grand Jury Report, Assemblymember Marc Berman introduced legislation earlier this year that would dramatically remake the Board of Directors for the Valley Transit Authority (VTA).

A new traffic forecasting model may soon give cities the tools they need to project how a proposed development will impact a pedestrian’s ability to get around — and rethink their decision if the stuff they want to build discourages people from walking.    

California loses Congressional seat after redistricting (SacBee) San Jose considers repealing minimum parking requirements. (East Bay Times) Sharks oppose downtown San Jose Village over parking (EastBayTimes) Wells will start going dry in Central Valley this summer (Fresno Bee) California poised for hellish fire season (LAT) Opinion: San Diego region moving too slow on Climate Change … Continued

This is a regular check-in about the agency's efforts to provide access to vaccinations, the rollout of its electric double-decker bus fleet, and how a transit agency can celebrate poetry month.

Driver Crashes Through Wall, Kills People, Lands Car in Pool…Homeowner on the Hook for Repairs (OC Register) Recall Newsom? Chances of Success Plummet as State Rebounds… (Union-Tribune) …But Will Pain of Closures Be Enough? (SacBee) Buttigieg Talks Bike Lanes, Green Space, Reducing Role of Cars (SFChron) More on ‘Link21’ Regional Transit Plans (SFBizTimes) CAL AG … Continued

Senate Dems Considering Taxes on Carbon, Truck Mileage to Pay for Infrastructure. (Politico) LA Metro Bundles Next Five Years Of Bus Costs As A “Better Bus” Initiative (The Source) Destination Crenshaw Construction Begins This Month (Urbanize) 85 Percent of Muni Hours Back by 2022 (SFExaminer) More on Speed Cameras (SFBay, LATimes) 18 Months After Being Sued … Continued

Does your city have a plan for streets when the pandemic ends?

CA Bill Would Allow Speed Camera Enforcement In L.A. (LAist, GovTech, Merc-News, KRON4, CBSLocal) Deadly Driver Kills Three Homeless Men on Sidewalk After Curb-Jump (SD Union-Tribune) Contracts Coming for Major Freeway Widening in Orange County (Register) Steinberg Could Be Newsom’s AG Pick (SacBee) Fresno Community Fights Plan to Rezone as Industrial (Fresno Bee) LADOT Shuttles Riders … Continued

Sometimes it's easy to forget that the California High Speed Rail Authority (CAHSRA) is currently building over 100 miles of high speed rail in the Central Valley and all of the large projects, including viaducts, animal crossings, and overpasses, that go along with it. To date, the project has created more than 5,500 construction jobs since the start of construction in the Central Valley. More than 35 construction sites are active today along the first 119 miles of the project.

On Wednesday, we'll begin our annual contest to find the worst bus stop in America. Here are the dishonorable mentions.