By Tony Tavares, Executive Director, Alameda County Transportation Commission

A year ago, I stepped into the role of Executive Director of the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC), the agency responsible for planning, funding, and delivering transportation improvements across Alameda County. For me, it was more than a professional milestone, it was a homecoming. Alameda County is where my roots run deep. My parents, grandparents, and many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins all lived in San Leandro and the surrounding communities.

I experienced firsthand what it meant to rely on our region’s transportation system. I remember walking to the grocery store with my grandmother along streets where sidewalks were often missing and passing cars felt uncomfortably close. Those early experiences shaped my understanding that safe, reliable transportation is not a luxury, it is essential to everyday life.

Today, I see that principle reflected across Alameda County, thanks in large part to Measure BB, the voter-approved transportation sales tax passed in 2014. The improvements are all around us: safer bike lanes on your commute, upgraded freeway ramps that make merging easier, more reliable delivery of goods to homes and businesses, paratransit services that help residents maintain independence, and buses that carry workers and students each day. These are not abstract benefits.  They are tangible outcomes made possible by local investment.

Measure BB, a one-cent sales tax dedicated to transportation, was designed to make our communities safer, more connected, and more resilient. More than a decade later, its impact is visible in every part of the county.

The measure has helped make travel more reliable, whether by car or transit. Investments in express lanes on I-680 and I-580 provide drivers with more predictable trip times and greater travel options. Modernized interchanges improve both safety and traffic flow, while local street and road projects address bottlenecks and repair aging infrastructure. These upgrades reduce delays, ease daily commutes, and contribute to cleaner air by minimizing time spent idling in traffic.

Safety remains at the core of our work. Transformational projects, like the award-winning Gilman Interchange and the pedestrian and bicycle bridge in Berkeley, are improving mobility while reducing the risk of collisions. At the same time, expanded investments in sidewalks, bike lanes, and crosswalks are making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists. Programs like Safe Routes to Schools are helping the next generation learn how to walk, bike, and use transit safely and confidently.

Measure BB has also expanded access to transportation, particularly for those who depend on it most. It supports operations and improvements for major transit providers including AC Transit, BART, LAVTA Wheels, Union City Transit, and the San Francisco Bay Ferry, which together delivered over 105 million trips last year. It funds paratransit services that keep seniors and people with disabilities connected to essential services and supports programs like the Student Transit Pass, giving young people affordable ways to get to school and work. Encouraging transit use over single-occupancy vehicles also helps us make meaningful progress toward our climate goals.

Reliable transportation is a cornerstone of a strong economy. By improving commutes and strengthening goods movement, Measure BB supports businesses throughout Alameda County and the broader Northern California region. The program also prioritizes local hiring and contracting, ensuring that hundreds of millions of dollars are reinvested in our communities and workforce.

The success of Measure BB reflects more than infrastructure improvements  It represents a collective commitment by Alameda County voters to invest in the future. By leveraging local funds to attract state and federal resources, Alameda CTC has secured more than $975 million in additional funding for transportation projects. As a 30-year measure, Measure BB provides the stability needed to plan and deliver long-term improvements.

Just as important, accountability and transparency are built into the program. Funds are overseen by a commission of local elected officials and monitored by an Independent Watchdog Committee, which provides annual public reports. Alameda CTC’s strong track record of clean audits underscores a commitment to responsible stewardship of public dollars. This is local control at its best: transparent; accountable; and responsive to community needs.

Looking ahead, Measure BB is only about one-third of the way through its lifecycle and is expected to generate approximately $8 billion through 2045. If the first decade is any indication, the years ahead will continue to bring safer streets, more reliable transit, improved mobility, and sustainable transportation options for all.

Measure BB is more than a funding measure, it is a promise. A promise of safer streets, stronger communities, expanded opportunity, and a transportation system that works for everyone.  To learn more about Measure BB and the impact of these investments, visit our Measure BB page.