DOT 155-08
Monday October 20, 2008
Contact: Brian Turmail
Tel.: (202) 366-4570
San Francisco Will Receive $87 Million for Easier Parking, Bay Area Ferry
Service, and Rehabilitation of Doyle Drive
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters
today announced a final decision to provide San Francisco with $87 million to
launch an innovative parking plan that will bring next-generation technology and
rush hour pricing to last-century parking meters, support ferry service and
rehabilitate the city’s Doyle Drive.
“This plan will make parking more convenient, reduce emissions, and ease traffic
jams. This city is showing the nation how a little technology and a lot of
innovation can make a big dent in traffic, smog and commuter frustration,”
Secretary Peters said.
The Secretary said $27 million of the federal funding will support the city’s SFpark
initiative, aimed at easing parking congestion on city streets through variable
pricing. The new, high-tech meters will charge drivers different prices to park
– more during peak times, less during off peak – to keep traffic flowing and
guarantee parking will be available. She said $13 million will also be made
available to support ferry service in the Bay Area.
Secretary Peters also announced that San Francisco will receive $47 million in
federal public lands funding to rehabilitate Doyle Drive, the heavily-traveled
road that connects the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown. The Secretary noted that
San Francisco’s original proposal to the Department included a plan to deploy
congestion pricing on Doyle Drive, but the city later withdrew that portion of
its proposal.
The new parking meter technology will ultimately allow drivers to find a parking
spot by checking variable message signs, phoning a 511 service, or via the
internet, Secretary Peters said. Instead of relying on quarters, drivers will be
able to pay with their credit, debit or Smart Trip cards, and will eventually be
able to text in a payment using their cell phones, she said.
The Secretary applauded Bay Area leaders for their willingness to try new ways
to help commuters and the environment. She noted a 2006 citywide survey found
that over half of all drivers take more than five minutes to find parking,
resulting in a gallon of wasted gas for every 10 cars looking for parking at a
given time.
The funding for San Francisco’s parking initiative and ferry service is provided
through the Department’s Urban Partnership Program, aimed at finding new,
innovative ways to fight congestion on America’s roads.
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