Committee approves funding for bicycle tunnel

Accelerated funding of $2.9 million for the CSUS access project was unanimously approved by the Sacramento Transportation Authority on Thursday.

A tunnel connecting the 65th Street Light Rail station to central campus and several new bike paths, as well as road improvements on Elvas, M Street, J Street, H Street, and 65th Street, may be built in time for the 2000 Olympic Track and Field trials.

Although the plans must still pass through reviews by several agencies, including the Sacramento Area Council of Governments and Caltrans, Sacramento City Councilman Steve Cohn said that if support for the project remains as promising as it is now, construction should begin without any major delays.

The project sparked support from prominent members of the community and was strongly advocated by several of the board members on the panel at Thursday’s meeting.

Rebecca Sloan, from Senator Patrick Johnston’s (D-Stockton) office, came to the county meeting to offer Johnston’s support for the access approval.

“He is a big bicycling fan,” said Sloan.

Additionally, Lea Brooks, an advocate for the Sacramento Area Bicycle Association spoke in favor of the project and said it was SABA’s No. 1 project. Brooks said that this would be a great opportunity for the coming Olympic trials to promote cycling.

Brooks also commented on the need to reduce air pollution for the world-class athletes that will be coming to Sacramento to participate in the Olympic trials.

The only possible opposition could come from other competing projects waiting for review.

Sacramento County Supervisor Muriel Johnson, vice chair of the board, said that they must retain some flexibility with regards to competing projects, but the CSUS access project was valid and funding should be granted immediately.