A sales tax extension and augmentation approved by voters should be good news for commuters and international shippers. That’s the word from the Port of Oakland which applauded passage of Measure BB on the ballot. “We congratulate voters for assuring a dedicated funding stream for critical transportation improvement projects in Alameda County,” the Port said in a statement. “With state and federal funds for transportation declining in the last decade, this will help reduce traffic congestion and improve goods movement. The Port is in position to compete for grant funding that will be available from Measure BB proceeds. Projects under consideration for funding requests include: Measure BB on Alameda County ballot is expected to generate $7.8 billion for transport improvements over 30 years. About $2.3 billion of that amount will go to projects that support freight transport initiatives.
  • Ongoing development of trade and logistics facilities at the former Oakland Army Base;
  • Enhanced rail connections in the region; and
  • Transportation infrastructure at the Port and Oakland International Airport.
The initiative extends the life of an existing half-cent sales tax in Alameda County. It also adds another half-cent to the levy.