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V I � <br />BACKGROUND <br />THE 2014 ALAMEDA COUNTY <br />TRANSPORTATION EXPENDITURE <br />PLAN <br />The 2014 Alameda County Transportation <br />Expenditure Plan (referred to throughout this <br />document as the Plan) responds to the county's <br />continued transportation needs through the extension <br />and augmentation of a locally generated and <br />protected funding stream. These funds cannot be <br />used for any purpose other than local transportation <br />needs. It cannot be taken by the State or by any other <br />governmental agency under any circumstance, and <br />over the life of this Plan can only be used for the <br />purposes described in the Plan, or as may be <br />amended. <br />The 2014 ballot measure supported by this Plan <br />augments and extends the existing Alameda County <br />Measure B half -cent transportation sales tax by a half - <br />cent to April 1, 2045. It is anticipated that the sales tax <br />extension and augmentation in this ballot measure <br />would generate about $8 billion for essential <br />transportation improvements in every city and <br />throughout Alameda County. <br />The 2014 Transportation Expenditure Plan funds <br />critical improvements that will: <br />Expand BART, bus and commuter rail for <br />reliable, safe and fast services. The Plan includes <br />expansions and improvements to BART within <br />Alameda County, bus service expansion and <br />commuter rail service improvements. <br />Keep fares affordable for seniors, youth and <br />people with disabilities. The Plan funds <br />affordable senior shuttles, vans and services that <br />expand transportation choices and help keep <br />seniors independent. The Plan provides critical <br />funding for student transit passes to ensure <br />youth can affordably get to school. It also <br />expands funding for reliable and inexpensive <br />transportation for people with disabilities. <br />Provide traffic relief. The Plan provides critical <br />funds to every city in the County to repave <br />streets, fill potholes, and upgrade local <br />transportation infrastructure. The Plan also <br />invests in key aging highway corridors to <br />upgrade on and off ramps and uses modern <br />technology to manage traffic and improve safety. <br />Improve air quality and clean transportation. <br />The Plan reduces pollution by using innovative <br />technology and investing in alternatives to <br />driving, including significant improvements in <br />bike and pedestrian facilities and BART, bus and <br />commuter rail expansion and operations. <br />Create good jobs within Alameda County. The <br />expenditure plan requires local contracting to <br />create good quality jobs that support residents <br />and businesses in Alameda County. <br />TAXPAYER SAFEGUARDS <br />The commitments in this expenditure plan are <br />underpinned by a set of strong taxpayer safeguards <br />to ensure that they are met. These include: <br />An annual independent audit and report to the <br />taxpayers on expenditures and performance <br />measures; <br />• Ongoing monitoring and review by an <br />Independent Watchdog Committee; and <br />• Strict limits on administrative expenses charged <br />to these funds. <br />