July 5, 2005 > The saga of Route 84

1958
Project need identified by Caltrans

1960s & 70s
Some right-of-way either purchased or zoned undevelopable to reserve a corridor for Route 84 along the "Historic" alignment.

1980
California Transportation Commission (CTC) rescinds the adoption of Route 84 as a freeway.

1984
East approach to Dumbarton Bridge completed. Urgent need to improve Route 84 is again identified by Caltrans.

1986
Measure B passes making funding available for Route 84 project.

1989
Environmental review process begins.

1997
Draft of Environmental Impact Report/Statement (EIR/S) completed and released for public review and comment. Six alternatives studied.

2002
Final EIR/S completed. Historic Parkway alternative is the only one consistent with the 1986 Expenditure Plan and recommended. Caltrans approves project, but due to Fremont opposition, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) does not certify final EIR/S. Over $6 million spent on project. Much of the right-of-way acquired and/or reserved. The Historic Parkway is still included in General Plan of both Fremont and Union City.

2003
Alameda County Transportation Authority (ACTA) continues efforts to develop a plan that can move forward.

2004
ACTA segregates Measure B funds programmed for the project. A deadline is set for consensus. Failing that, project reserve will convert to a program-wide reserve available to other Measure B projects.

2005
Deadline for consensus extended multiple times. A series of alternative project concepts are considered. Option 2 is found to meet the purpose and need of the original Route 84 Historic Parkway Project but with a smaller footprint.

City of Fremont requests ACTA to form a "stakeholders" committee and arrange a meeting. Authority Board sets deadline of June 27, 2005 for a decision.

Alberto Torrico introduces AB1462 to protect funds from sale of excess Caltrans property allowing transfer to approved alternative project. Caltrans rejects Option 2 as a possible Route 84 but supports local use of funds. ACTA deadline for consensus is now set for September 30.