San Bruno B.A.R.T.

  The average daily commuter in the Bay Area could be paying an additional $250 a year if Measure 2 passes on March 2 — raising bridge tolls by $1.

  The measure needs 50 percent of the vote from residents in seven Bay Area counties to pass. The $1 hike would become effective July 1, 2004 and push toll fees to $3 on seven crossings including the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge.

  Proponents say the measure would ease traffic congestion plaguing the Bay Area, opponents contend it is just another way for politicians to raise money without making a significant difference.

  Measure 2 would contribute millions of dollars to regional transportation endeavors like the extension of Bay Area Rapid Transit and the development of ferry service along the Peninsula. Of the 16 major improvements the measure proposes, eight directly affect San Mateo County, said Supervisor Mike Nevin.

  “Traffic knows no boundaries,” said Nevin. “It’s not parochial, it’s regional. If I fix mine and they don’t fix theirs, we don’t complete the connection.”

  The measure aims to close the circle around the Bay by funding a rail crossing at the Dumbarton Bridge. The $135 million project would connect the Millbrae and Union City BART stations with new Caltrain rails. It’s a feasible alternative to bringing BART down the Peninsula and around to the East Bay, Nevin said.

  The Metropolitan Transportation Commission would control the money collected by the new toll. According to studies authorized by MTC, about 4 to 5 percent of cars need to be removed from the roads to ease bottlenecks, said Nevin.

  In San Mateo County, residents already pay a half-cent sales tax to fund transportation improvements. Projects the county funds include revamping exit lanes on Highway 101 from Menlo Park to San Bruno. Funds for the projects are matched by federal and state grants.

  By creating extra local funds for transportation projects, supporters of Measure 2 hope they can lure federal and state funds. Measure 2 provides more than $200 million to fund 50 percent of its proposed BART extensions to Oakland International Airport and Contra Costa County.

  However, it takes a certain amount of luck to secure state and federal funding during the current economic slump, said Nevin.

  Despite its good intentions, some say the measure is simply misguided.

  “Let’s take care of what we’re using now and get to the other issues later,” said Karen Kennedy, president of e-Minutemen Organization, a conservative activist group in San Mateo.

  Kennedy said with declining BART ridership and commuters persistently choosing their cars over mass transit, politicians should focus on road repairs and upgrades instead.

  Toll fees were standardized in 1988 when Bay Area residents voted to instate a $1 base toll on all bridges. The base dollar pays for bridge upgrades like the expansion of the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge and the replacement span on the Carquinez Bridge.

  In 1997 the California Legislature added the second dollar to bridge tolls for seismic upgrades to five of the Bay Area’s seven bridges. Three of the five bridges have been completely upgraded and work is ongoing on the remaining two. The total cost of the seismic upgrades is $5 million and about half is paid for by federal and state funds.

  The Golden Gate Bridge — which is not owned by the state — will not be affected by Measure 2 and continue to have a $5 fee.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com