From: Mike Swire
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Comment for 5/5 regular meeting, Item 12
Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025 1:15:59 PM
Dear City Council,
Thank you for your prompt letter in opposition to the 101/92 Direct Connector meeting. I appreciate your listening to the community and rapid action in order to prevent waste of additional taxpayer dollars on this project. I think for the most part, the letter is great. I do not agree with the following statement, however, and ask that it be removed:
"However, it is unclear whether spending $200 million or more to expand highways is the best use of taxpayer funds, especially as there may be more environmentally friendly ways to address congestion in this corridor. For example, we could explore strategic highway widening within the existing highway footprint that benefits those who live in the cities of San Mateo and Foster City, rather than building toll lanes for East Bay Commuters, or implementing robust mass transit across the Bay on the SR 92 corridor." How is widening SR 92 or other highways "environmentally friendly" and how does it reduce congestion? As you heard several times from the community last month, widening highways doesn't solve congestion; instead, it encourages more people to drive. Please take a quick look at this video describing induced demand
. Of course, more cars on the road means
more pollution. Transportation is the #1 source of GHG emissions in SM County. In addition, more cars means more air pollution, increasing childhood asthma, cardiovascular disease, and problem pregnancies. If we widen 92, this means the additional air pollution will most impact the communities adjacent to 92. This includes Sunnybrae, Hayward Park, and Fiesta Gardens in Mayor Newsom's District, Beresford Manor, Foothill Terrace, and Homestead in Councilmember Nash's District, Beresford and San Mateo Terrace in Councilman Lorraine's District, and Harbortown and Lakeshore in Councilwoman Cwirko- Godycki's District. Why would we increase air pollution, traffic violence, and congestion in these neighborhoods?
I request that you remove this language from the letter. Leaving it in there will lead to confusion as to the Council's intent. Please remember that while eminent domain was the #1 concern of those who spoke out at the recent Council meeting, a very large number of residents mentioned induced demand and the fact that widening highways has and will never reduce congestion.
Thank you for listening,
Mike Swire
San Mateo, CA