Port of Oakland Applauds Passage Of Transport Measure BB

Alameda County Sales Tax Extension To Help Ease Commutes, Freight Movement

Oakland, CA – Nov. 5, 2014 – A sales tax extension and augmentation approved by voters Tuesday should be good news for commuters and international shippers. That’s the word from the Port of Oakland which today applauded passage of Measure BB on Tuesday’s 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

• 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.

Measure BB on Tuesday’s 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.

The initiative extends the life of an existing half-cent sales tax in Alameda County. It also adds another half-cent to the levy.

About the Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport and Oakland International Airport. The Port’s jurisdiction includes 20 miles of waterfront from the Bay Bridge through Oakland International Airport. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport offering over 300 daily passenger and cargo flights; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. Together, through Port operations and those of its tenants and users, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.

Marilyn Sandifur
Port Spokesperson
Port of Oakland
(510) 627-1193
Click here to contact Marilyn Sandifur