http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/5171301.htm
Posted on Thu, Feb. 13, 2003
HAMILTON RANGE FREEWAY PLAN
By Paul Rogers and Gary Richards
Mercury News
Rep. Richard Pombo
For more than a century, the remote Mount Hamilton Range east of San Jose
has been known for two things: cowboys on horseback and astronomers at Lick
Observatory.
But now a powerful Central Valley congressman is hoping to introduce a
newcomer: the commuter.
Promoting an idea that could dramatically change growth, traffic and the
environment in Silicon Valley, U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Stockton, has
introduced a bill directing the federal Department of Transportation to
study constructing a six-lane freeway from the Central Valley across the
Mount Hamilton Range and into East San Jose.
The proposal will face numerous and enormous challenges, including
engineering and cost issues as well as opposition from ranchers and
environmentalists.
Nonetheless, the road is needed, Pombo says, because thousands of motorists
sit in traffic every morning on Interstate 205/580 (Altamont Pass) and
Highway 152 (Pacheco Pass) en route to the Bay Area.
``The traffic that goes through Livermore and Alameda County is a problem
that ties up the entire region,'' said Doug Heye, a spokesman for Pombo.
``The time people waste sitting in traffic is staggering.''
23-mile proposal
Although no specific alignment has been set, Pombo supports a 23-mile
road -- three lanes in each direction -- that would run from Interstate 5
near Patterson across remote eastern Santa Clara County and down the Diablo
Range. It would connect with Mount Hamilton Road and Interstate 680 in San
Jose's Alum Rock area.
The area, home to about 1,000 people, is an isolated region of cattle
ranches, chaparral and oak woodlands that has remained largely unchanged
since the 19th century because of a lack of water or major roads.
``This project will never be built and should not be built,'' said Rep. Zoe
Lofgren, D-San Jose. ``It would be monstrously expensive and would be an
environmental disaster.''
Lofgren, who represents the San Jose area where the freeway would end, said
she supports other measures instead, including expanding the Altamont
Commuter Express train system and widening Highway 152.
Pombo said he wants the new freeway reserved for automobiles -- no
commercial trucks. He also proposes a possible rail corridor along the
route. A rancher known for his cowboy hat and attempts to rewrite the
Endangered Species Act to boost private property rights, Pombo has gained
considerable clout recently.
Last month, House GOP leaders named him chairman of the House Resources
Committee. He also sits on the House Transportation Infrastructure
Subcommittee, so his new highway bill, HR 619, could eventually be attached
to the massive six-year transportation package now taking shape on Capitol
Hill.
Some commuters love the idea.
San Jose salesman John Finnigan drives to the Central Valley often and is
tired of the traffic.
``I don't know why they haven't done this before,'' said Finnigan, 44.
``It's an excellent idea. Anything would be better than Pacheco Pass.''
Such a road might spur more Bay Area residents to leave for cheaper homes in
the Central Valley, but also provide relief for drivers in Silicon Valley
who find getting out of town for a weekend a difficult chore.
Friday afternoon blues
More than 140,000 vehicles travel over the Altamont Pass and another 30,500
cars pour over Pacheco Pass each day, figures that jump 19 and 58 percent on
Friday afternoons when lines of campers and kid-toting minivans can stretch
for 13 miles.
Building a road over a steep mountain range can be done, Caltrans officials
say. But the battle would be on financial and environmental fronts.
``The idea has been discussed before,'' said Caltrans spokesman Lauren
Wonder. ``One idea was to tunnel, but that was too expensive. We don't think
it's very feasible.''
Environmentalists agree.
Since 1998, the Nature Conservancy has spent $44 million to buy development
rights and title to 82,240 acres in the Mount Hamilton area. The area
represents more than 500,000 acres of unbroken oak forest and other habitat,
home to golden eagles, pronghorn antelope, tule elk, mountain lions and
steelhead trout.
``Any proposal like this would raise concerns,'' said Julie Benson, a
spokeswoman for the Nature Conservancy. ``You are talking about taking one
of our prize projects and cutting it in half. It would fragment a large wild
area.''
Cattle ranchers in the area also are likely to oppose a road.
``Two things keep this country pristine: the shortage of water and bad
roads,'' said Gary Stoddard, whose family has been ranching since 1896 on
8,500 acres in San Antonio Valley. ``It would change the character back
here. The people who have been here a long time certainly would not be in
favor of it.''
North of observatory
Scientists at Lick Observatory also are weighing in.
Pombo has said the road would remain six miles north of the observatory,
which has been located atop the 4,200-foot Mount Hamilton peak since 1888.
The congressman also says he is willing to forbid any exit ramps so as not
to spread homes, fast food restaurants and other development. But stargazers
say the light from tens of thousands of cars a day would be a problem.
``Any light, even six miles away, would affect our observing,'' said Elinor
Gates, a resident astronomer at Lick Observatory. ``It would make it
difficult for us to see the astronomical objects we are studying. We are one
of the foremost astronomical institutions in the nation.''
Pombo says he doesn't know yet how much the road would cost. But it would
cut smog, he argues, because it would reduce idling traffic.
``Thousands of people in his district are moving to the Central Valley where
there is more affordable housing,'' said Pombo spokesman Heye. ``Commute
times have just become unreasonable. We think this is worth studying.''
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---- Contact Paul Rogers at progers@No-Spam or (408) 920-5045 or Gary Richards at grichards@No-Spam or (408) 920-5335.