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Transportation
Satisfaction with the county's freeways is unchanged
from a year ago. This year, 26 percent say the current system is satisfactory,
48 percent want lanes added, and 26 percent want new freeways built.
This year's numbers represent a slight gain in the number
wanting to build new freeways, from 22 percent last year to 26 percent
today. This is consistent with the growing numbers of residents who
are saying that traffic is the biggest problem facing the county. Previously,
a trend of declining desire for new freeways had been underway during
the 1990s. The numbers had steadily declined each year from a high point
of 51 percent in 1989.
Graph:
Trends in Freeway Attitudes
There are no differences by age, income or ethnicity. Residents in the
south (35%) and central (30%) regions are now more satisfied than those
in the north (19%) and west (21%). Those living in the north (54%) and
west (57%) are more likely to want freeway lanes added.
The number of workers who say they experience major
traffic problems during their commute is similar to what it has been
for most of this decade. Nineteen percent say congestion causes them
a great problem, 38 percent encounter some problem and 43 percent have
no problem making the drive to work.
Graph:
Perceptions of Major Commuting Problems
Those in the north (26%) and west (20%) are more
likely to say they have a great problem during their commute than are
those in the central (16%) and south (15%) regions. Residents in the
south (52%) and central (47%) regions are more likely than those in
the north (35%) and west (32%) to say they have no commuting problems
at all.
Graph: Satisfied
with Use of Measure M Funds
Measure M projects keep on getting more popular. Three in four residents
now say they are satisfied with the way Measure M funds are being spent,
with 20 percent very satisfied and 56 percent somewhat satisfied. Sixteen
percent are not satisfied and 8 percent have no opinion. Satisfaction
is up three points since 1996, 16 points since 1995 and 28 points since
1992. Compared to five years ago, the number who are very satisfied
has increased by 10 points (10% to 20%), the number who are somewhat
satisfied is up by 18 points (38% to 56%), the number who are not satisfied
has declined by 10 points (26% to 16%), and those who have no opinion
have fallen by 18 points (26% to 8%).
There are no significant differences in satisfaction
with Measure M funding by age, region, income or race and ethnicity.
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