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Where freeways meet local roads (ramps, bridges, state-owned
arterials) Caltrans has long been vilified for creating unsafe
conditions for walking, bicycling, and even driving. Recently,
Caltrans held an in-house training on November 13-14, 2002
for staff working in the Office of Community Planning. Director
Jeff Morales issued a surprisingly progressive 'call to action'
at the start of the conference. Anne Seeley of the California
Department of Health Services captured these points made by
Mr. Morales:
- Provide choices. Let’s create "a better grid"
-- one that builds communities rather than dividing them
with dangerous roads.
- "We must live up to" the directive that's been
issued to routinely accommodate walkers & cyclists.
(Deputy Directive 64)
- Caltrans needs to drive the research agenda. We spend
$100M/year on research and we're funding what folks propose
to us, and that's not giving us what we need.
- Make funding decisions "with an eye to a fundamental
shift in order to make good investments." We don't
just want to spend money, we want to be more like Oregon
& Maryland, giving "powerful incentives for development
that fits the state plan."
- Just because "the book" does not specify alternative
project designs, that doesn't mean alternatives aren't right.
- "Find out what are the right projects by evaluating
the outcomes."
- Get more involved with residents and with agencies as
you design projects. Don't just have Caltrans be the regional
contractor. Be part of the community we serve. Become an
agency that people have more willingness to work with.
- Context sensitivity is one of our most important projects.
- We need to let locals have roads that will enhance their
communities. We must deliver on our Main Street policies.
- Give decision-makers better information regarding the
consequences and the remedies of their decisions.
Anne Seeley
Active Communities Coordinator, Physical Activity &
Health Initiative
UC San Francisco / CA Department of Health Services
PO Box 942732 - Mail stop 675
Sacramento, CA 94234-7320
916 445-0472 916 324-7763 fax
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