Frequently Asked Questions:
Are soundwalls definitely coming to Rockridge?
No. Only soundwall studies are tentatively funded at this time.
So why should the public be concerned?
Because spending $1.182
$1.482 million on the studies would be a waste of money.
I live in Rockridge but not near Highway 24; why should I be concerned?
Because the funds that might be spent on soundwall studies could be spent on other neighborhood
projects instead.
I don't live in Rockridge; why should I be concerned?
Because there is presently funding only for soundwall studies. Investing $1.182
$1.482 million in soundwall studies would not guarantee that these soundwalls would be built;
in fact, it is
unlikely that they would every be built.
What is the difference between the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency (ACCMA) and
the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC)?
They are the same organization. Its name changed from ACCMA to ACTC.
How were other soundwalls in Alameda Country approved in the past?
ACTC accepted applications and then approved or rejected them according to its written policy,
which is specified in
Proposed Alameda County Congestion Management Agency (ACCMA) Freeway Soundwall Policy.
How would this soundwall study obtain approval?
Acting in the name of the City of Oakland,Wlad Wlassowsky, Transportation Division Services Manager,
made an "administrative decision" to create new rules for this process.
But for years the publicity for the proposed Highway 24 soundwalls has stated that the ACTC
approval process would be followed. What happened?
On August 21, 2012 ACTC declared that it was not participating in the soundwall approval
process. Although ACTC had been advising the City of Oakland, the City failed to initiate
the ACTC approval process by declaring its intentions in writing to ACTC.
What will be the likely result of this change in the soundwall approval process?
The City of Oakland will make the approval decision on the soundwall studies. However, for
the soundwalls to actually be constructed, ACTC approval would still be needed.
How will this make it easier for the soundwall studies to be approved?
2/3 of eligible property owners would have to sign approval petitions
for the soundwall studies to go forward. The majority of those eligible to sign
would experience a noise reduction of less than 5 decibels; and they would not be
eligible to sign soundwall construction petitions under ACTC's policy. Under ACTC's policy, 100% of the
owners of property adjacent to the freeway (first row) would have to sign as well as 75% of
other owners of property which would see at least a 5 decibel noise reduction. This second group is
a few properties in the second row from the freeway.
How can we be certain that money directed away from soundwall studies would be spent on neighborhood
projects?
This is mandated under the Caldecott Tunnel Settlement Agreement.
If the soundwall studies are approved, which projects will not be funded?
Intersection improvements and pedestrian lighting, Projects #19-23 on the latest
Caldecott Tunnel Settlement Agreement Final Project List.
