Stories you shouldn’t miss:
1. An Alameda County judge has halted a plan by Caltrans to cut down six hundred trees in Niles Canyon in order to widen state Highway 84, the Chron and Argus report. Environmentalists have argued that the $80 million widening project will destroy wildlife habitat along Alameda Creek and that Caltrans has failed to conduct adequate environmental studies. Judge Frank Roesch ruled that the environmental groups can go forward with their lawsuit against Caltrans. The transit agency maintains that the widening project is needed to make Niles Canyon Road safer.
Caltrans wants to cut down more trees along Alameda Creek. Caltrans wants to cut down more trees along Alameda Creek.
2. The BART board of directors has tabled plans for late-night train service after a federally required civil rights study determined that the proposal would harm low-income riders. The Chron reports that the BART board postponed discussion of the late-night service proposal until July 14. At issue is whether running trains late on Friday and Saturday nights will force BART to begin train service later on Saturdays and Sundays. The civil rights study concluded that starting trains late on the weekends would unfairly harm low-income commuters who need to get to work early.
