My last Press Democrat story on Highway 101 widening generated a lot of letters. Transportation officials have said the final stretch of HOV lanes through the Sonoma-Marin Narrows could take another seven years. The last piece of the project remains unfunded. As local transportation officials go to Sacramento hat-in-hand, readers wondered if there is anything they could do to help the lobbying effort.
The answer comes from Suzanne Smith, executive director of the Sonoma County Transportation Authority. Letters to state transportation officials asking for funding for the 101 widening project are helpful, she said. North Bay state representatives and the California Transportation Commission (listed below) are the best targets. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, so squeak up:
California State Senate Noreen Evans (916)651-4002 (707) 576-2771 California State Assembly Marc Levine (916) 319-2010 (707) 576-2631 Wesley Chesbro (916) 319-2002 (707) 576-2526 Senate Transportation Committee Mark DeSaulnier (Chair) (916) 651-4007 (925) 942-6082 Assembly Transportation Committee Bonnie Lowenthal (Chair) (916) 319-2070 (562) 495-2915 California Transportation Commission James Ghielmetti (Chair) (916) 654-4245