After years of neglect and unfulfilled, hopeful plans, the Centerville District of Fremont will be liberated from the misery of a state highway through its heart. Finally, CalTrans will relinquish its sovereignty over that portion of Highway 84 and reroute the state highway. Fremont can now move forward and review plans, some dusty from years on a backroom shelf, to renovate this important roadway. The effect of a state operated highway splitting the district, has been neglect and many obstacles preventing long overdue improvements to sections of Peralta and Fremont Boulevards. With the advent of local control, a major excuse to delay streetscape improvements will be removed. Even though redevelopment agencies have been dissolved, plans for a vibrant Centerville remain viable and, with the Silicon Sage revitalization project in the works, Centerville can emerge from a decades-old slumber.
Centerville’s saga is similar to many other locations that share the Southeast Bay Area. Fractured by fuel and water conduits, rail lines, and commuter routes, our communities are forced to deal with a myriad of public and private entities that exert control and influence over mobility options. Add to this state pressure to build more and more housing and the existential threat of climate change, endangering coast/bay lands. Since many cities and unincorporated areas are connected by externally-controlled supply corridors, it is imperative that local public works entities unite with a systematic infrastructure model resulting in a comprehensive plan to identify chokepoints and work toward their elimination.
Centerville is not the only victim of defunct plans that ravage our area. Mission Boulevard (SR-238) through Fremont and Hayward along with Calaveras Boulevard (SR-237), are examples of “forgotten freeways”, remnants of grand plans of the past. Instead of providing smooth and efficient passage for intercity commuters, they have become bottlenecks, congested to the point of gridlock, clogging feeder and auxiliary roads as well. As a burgeoning high-tech center of commerce, it is time – long overdue – in the southeast Bay Area to decide whether the physical and emotional environment can sustain the Type A drive of Silicon Valley or needs a respite and at least some deconstruction.
Our cities are struggling with the effects of multi-jurisdictional control; a macro view that tends to gloss over local and societal differences. Relinquishment of a small segment of Highway 84 represents a rational approach that finally transcends regional priorities, allowing local priorities to prevail. This is a complex issue since communication and transportation corridors are of critical importance. But so are quality of life issues. The newly formed Mobility Commission in Fremont is a good start to identify and strategize solutions. Why not form such commissions in every jurisdiction, then convene a summit on an annual basis to compare notes, exchange ideas and coordinate action?
In many cases, the word “final” indicates completion of a task. In this situation, it is only the beginning.