Delta Cross Channel gates open weekends

The Bureau of Reclamation will be opening the Delta Cross Channel on weekends. The gates will be closed on weekdays to help prevent juvenile salmon from being diverted from their migratory route along the Sacramento River into the interior Delta until June 12. The gates are expected to stay open after June 12. For more information, click here.

Franks Tract Futures – public meeting webinar on June 9 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m

The Franks Tract Futures project is exploring options for achieving ecosystem, recreation, water quality, and other benefits at Franks Tract. There will be a public meeting webinar on June 9 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Register for the meeting

To contact the meeting hosts, click here ucdfrankstract@gmail.com ‎

Franks Tract Futures is a collaborative planning process initiated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The process will entail working with the local community, local agencies, and interested stakeholders in developing a detailed habitat enhancement plan for Franks Tract using a transparent and collaborative process.

The planning process will develop and evaluate alternative approaches to restoration and enhancement that balance multiple interests identified in the Franks Tract Futures Report.

The plan will serve as a basis for updating the California State Park’s Franks Tract State Recreation Area Management Plan and will incorporate other ongoing planning efforts.

A final plan is expected to be completed by June 2020.

Traffic Advisory: Full Nighttime Closures of State Route 4/Interstate 680 Connector Ramps Thursday, May 28 through Sunday, May 31, 2020

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) are constructing the first phase of a multi-phased project to improve safety and help reduce congestion at the Interstate-680/State Route 4 Interchange in central Contra Costa County. In order to facilitate a key phase of construction that will shift traffic onto newly constructed facilities, the agencies are planning significant traffic shifts prior to, during and after the Memorial Day Weekend which will impact SR-4 and both of the I-680 connector ramps spanning Martinez, Pacheco, and Concord. CCTA and Caltrans have scheduled the closures during evening/nighttime hours and over the weekend in order to minimize impacts to the motoring public.

Nightly lane closures of SR-4 (from Pacheco Boulevard to Solano Way) and the I-680 connector ramps in both directions (northbound and southbound connectors to SR-4) will continue from May 28 –31, 2020. The work taking place during this time will enable traffic to move onto newly constructed facilities as they are completed, including:

• Northbound Interstate 680 connector ramp to Eastbound State Route 4
• Westbound State Route 4 connector ramp to Northbound Interstate 680
• New Grayson Creek Eastbound and Westbound bridges
• Shifting traffic onto the new median concrete pavement widening on State Route 4 between Pacheco Boulevard and Walnut Creek Bridge

Planned closures include:

Thursday, May 28 through Sunday May 31, 2020: Varies by evening, see below for specific times. Nightly full freeway closures for Eastbound and Westbound State Route 4 and full closure of the following ramps:

• Full ramp closure of Eastbound SR-4 connector to Northbound I-680
• Full ramp closure of Southbound I-680 connector to Eastbound SR-4
• Full Ramp closure of Northbound I-680 connector to Eastbound SR-4

Thursday, May 28, 2020: 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
Full freeway closure of Eastbound SR-4 from Pacheco Boulevard to Solano Way including full ramp closures listed above.

Friday, May 29, 2020: 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Full Freeway closure of Westbound SR-4 between Solano Way and Pacheco Boulevard including full ramp closures listed above.

Saturday May 30, 2020: 12:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Full Freeway closure of Eastbound SR-4 between Pacheco Boulevard to Solano Way including full ramp closures listed above.

Sunday May 31: 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Full freeway closure of Westbound SR-4 between Solano Way and Pacheco Boulevard including full ramp closures listed above.

Please see closure and detour maps below

Motorists are advised to be alert for on-site closure and detour signs, and to Slow for the Cone Zone. Please drive with caution through the detours and leave a safe traveling distance between your vehicle and vehicle ahead of you. Please note that the construction schedule and closure information presented here are subject to change based on weather and other conditions. We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as we work to complete these important improvements.

About the Interstate 680/State Route 4 Interchange Improvement Project

The Interstate 680/State Route 4 Interchange Improvement Project will widen approximately four miles of State Route 4 in both directions between Morello Avenue in Martinez and State Route 242 by adding a third lane in the eastbound and westbound directions to improve on-ramp and off-ramp merging. The project also includes widening of five structures, extending eastbound State Route 4’s carpool lane approximately two miles, installation of safety lighting, and replacement of the Grayson Creek Bridge to bring it up to current State bridge safety codes. This segment of work in this multi-phased project will lay the groundwork for future improvements to connector ramps, improve traffic safety and enhance traffic flow.

BART’s 15 step plan to welcome back riders as the region opens

BART is working hard to reimagine transit service as the region begins to reopen and riders return.  We understand the public is looking to us to provide reassurance that service is as safe as possible and social distancing is followed.  To welcome riders back and regain confidence in public transit, BART is taking the following 15 steps while continuing to explore new measures and technologies that could assist in a safe recovery.

Step 1 – Cleaning

BART is using hospital-grade disinfectant in stations and on-board trains. Train poles are wiped down with disinfectant at the end of the line during service hours. Crews use electrostatic foggers on train cars that spray disinfecting mist that coats and clings to surfaces. Station touchpoints are wiped down multiple times each day.

Watch video of trains being disinfected with foggers

Step 2 – Run Long Trains

BART is committed to running service that allows for social distancing. We will continue to run long trains all day to allow riders to spread out. BART has determined riders can maintain social distancing of 6 feet on-board train cars with no more than 30 people per car. Social distancing of 3 feet can be achieved with no more than 60 people per car.

Step 3 – Increase Train Frequency

BART is currently running service every 30 minutes on weekdays, but we are monitoring ridership daily and will add additional trains during commute hours in the 15-minute slots once data shows that train cars consistently have more than 30 people on board. As businesses allow for staggered shifts, BART will extend the hours of 15-minute frequencies.

Riders should expect a 9 pm closure for the time being. We are planning our budget in a way that will allow us to scale up when the recovery creates demand. If demand and revenue are low, we will need to continue 30-minute frequencies. Riders are encouraged to check BART’s real time departures feature online and on the official BART app before heading to the station as the Trip Planner will show a 30-minute base schedule and may not always reflect 15-minute service the day it becomes available. Added trains will show on real time departures.

Step 4 – Pilot New Seat Configuration

BART’s Fleet of the Future provides for modular seating. BART will pilot a new configuration of seats that could potentially help create space between riders. Updated CDC guidelines indicate coronavirus does not spread easily from contact with contaminated surfaces and that person to person contact is the main source of coronavirus spread.

BART is looking at ways to create as much space to spread out as possible. BART does not plan to block off seats for use because it is difficult to enforce and is subject to vandalism.

Step 5 – Require Face Coverings

BART will continue to require face coverings at all times for all riders ages 13 and older. Consistent with county health orders, children aged 12 or younger are not required to wear a face covering and children aged 2 or younger should not wear one because of the risk of suffocation.

Even if the local counties ease the face covering mandate, BART plans to keep it. Currently Downtown San Francisco station agent booths have extra masks for those who need one. We’re also supplying officers with extra masks to hand out if necessary. BART Procurement is exploring having face mask vending machines inside stations.

BART is asking everyone to do their part to help protect their fellow riders by wearing face coverings at all times while in the system.

Step 6 – Police Enforcement

BART Police will enforce the face covering requirement and be positioned at fixed posts near the faregates at many of our stations. Police personnel will conduct more frequent fare checks to increase staff presence on-board trains and inside stations. Crime at BART is down 34% January-April compared with the same four months in 2019. Increased attention will be paid to keeping station entryways clear and safe.

Step 7 – Visual Indicators

Large decals, posters and banners are being printed and will soon be displayed throughout the system and on-board trains to reinforce social distancing expectations and the face covering requirement. While BART does not plan to use standing markers on the platforms and on trains, there will be plenty of signage on platforms and on-board trains and overhead announcements reminding riders to social distance and spread out.

Step 8 – Hand Sanitizer

BART will continue to offer hand sanitizer at every station. We are making large signs, so the dispensers are easy to find.

Step 9 – Contactless Payment

Clipper allows for contactless payment at BART. Riders are encouraged to get Clipper and load funds online in advance or get auto-load. This will reduce lines at the ticket vending machines and reduce customer touchpoints. BART will speed up efforts to eliminate the sale of paper tickets and to go Clipper-only at stations systemwide in the coming months. BART is also speeding up efforts to expand the official BART app parking payment feature to all stations (currently available at five stations).

Step 10 – Personal Hand Straps

BART will offer personal hand straps for riders to use and take home for cleaning after each trip. A limited supply will be handed out inside stations to welcome riders back and then will be offered for sale for $5 plus tax by phone order by calling 510-464-7136, in person at the Customer Service window at Lake Merritt Station (Monday-Friday 7:30 am–4:45pm) and through a soon-to-be-launched online store.

Step 11 – Data Transparency

BART will continue to post daily ridership numbers at http://www.bart.gov/covid showing what percentage ridership is at compared to Pre-COVID-19 ridership. During the first part of recovery, this will help reassure riders there is no crowding. BART will also share train car loading data based on the number of riders on a specific train and how on average those riders can spread out among the cars. This information is not available in real time, but we plan to communicate it in some form of frequency on our website and through social media. We will offer this information in an easy to read format to help riders make informed decisions about what time of the day they want to ride.

Step 12 – New Technologies and Industry Best Practices

BART will continue to explore new technologies used by transit systems across the world in response to COVID-19. For example, BART is evaluating a variety of new cleaning procedures such as ultraviolet disinfecting to determine if new methods are safe, won’t cause damage, and are more effective and efficient than current practice. As best practice trends related to safety and customer experience emerge, BART will examine how practical implementation would be for our system.

Step 13 – Business Community Outreach

BART will encourage employers to allow for staggered shifts to help spread out the commute and avoid crowding during peak travel times. BART staff will also participate in virtual town halls with companies to answer questions about BART service and new safety measures.

Step 14 – Healthy Workforce

BART’s greatest asset is our employees and they must remain healthy to continue to provide service. BART is supplying workers with PPE and supplies and offering COVID-19 testing to employees. Station Agents have been advised to stay inside their booth as much as possible to limit exposure. Work areas are being disinfected frequently.

Step 15 – Rebuild Infrastructure

BART is using this time of record low ridership to accelerate infrastructure rebuilding projects facilitated by the extra work hours made available due to an earlier closing time. The increased level of work will shave off time on some of these projects that can be disruptive to passengers.

For example, every six weeks BART single tracks beginning at 7 pm in San Francisco for cable replacement, six months of Sunday single tracking are eliminated. This accelerated work ensures that when riders return to the system, it will be in better shape than when they last used it.

States with the Best Health Infrastructure for Coronavirus – WalletHub Study

The coronavirus pandemic is the “largest, most serious health crisis that has hit this nation in more than 100 years,” according to CDC director Robert Redfield. That’s not hard to see, considering the unprecedented social distancing measures that have affected the lives of all Americans. Many parts of the U.S. were caught unprepared for a pandemic of this scale, running out of space in hospitals and lacking adequate supplies for doctors and nurses. However, some states’ healthcare systems were better equipped to deal with the onslaught of the virus than others.

COVID-19 has exposed weaknesses in the country’s healthcare system, from supplies to staffing to bed counts, but issues have been far from uniform across the U.S. To find out which states were most prepared going into the pandemic, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the States with the Best Health Infrastructure for Coronavirus, as well as accompanying videos.

To identify which states have the best health infrastructure, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 14 key metrics. Our data set ranges from the state’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness funding per capita to the share of the population that is uninsured and the number of hospital beds per capita. Below, you can see highlights from the report, along with a WalletHub Q&A.

Health Infrastructure in California (1=Best, 25=Avg.):

• 49^th – Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Funding Per Capita
• 43^rd – Public Hospital System Quality
• 12^th – Public Healthcare Spending per Capita
• 45^th – Number of Hospital Beds per Capita
• 25^th – Share of Uninsured Population
• 4^th – Epidemiology Workforce per Capita

For the full report, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-best-health-infrastructure-for-coronavirus/74483/

How to Recognize Phishing Email

Scammers use email to trick you into giving them your personal information. They may try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers.

If they get that information, they could gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that people lost $57 million to phishing schemes in one year.

Scammers often update their tactics, but there are some signs that will help you recognize a phishing email.

Phishing emails may look like they’re from a company or person you know or trust. They may look like they’re from a bank, a credit card company, a social networking site, an online payment website or app, or an online store.

Phishing emails often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment.

They may

• say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts
• claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information
• say you must confirm some personal information
• include a fake invoice
• want you to click on a link to make a payment
• say you’re eligible to register for a government refund
• offer a coupon for free stuff

Here’s a real world example of a phishing email:

• The email looks like it’s from a company you may know and trust: Netflix. It even uses a Netflix logo and header.
• The email says your account is on hold because of a billing problem.
• The email has a generic greeting, “Hi Dear.” If you have an account with the business, it probably wouldn’t use a generic greeting like this.
• The email invites you to click on a link to update your payment details.

At a glance the email example might look real but it’s not. The scammers who send emails like this one do not have anything to do with the companies they pretend to be. Phishing emails can have real consequences for people who give scammers their information. And they can harm the reputation of the companies they’re spoofing.

Protect Yourself From Phishing Attacks

Email spam filters may keep many phishing emails out of your inbox.  Still– scammers are always trying to outsmart spam filters.

What to Do If You Suspect a Phishing Attack

If you get an email that asks you to click on a link or open an attachment, answer this question: Do I have an account with the company or know the person that contacted me?    Always look at the return email address!   Do you recognize it?

If the answer is “No,” it could be a phishing scam. If you suspect the email is spam, go ahead and delete it.

If the answer is “Yes,” contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real. Not the information in the email. Attachments and links can install harmful malware.

What to Do If You Responded to a Phishing Email

If you think a scammer has your information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, go to IdentityTheft.gov  There you’ll see the specific steps to take based on the information that you lost.

Remember never give out your password to any account!

Spare the Air Alert – Tuesday , May 26

A Spare the Air Alert is in effect,Tuesday, May 26th , for the San Francisco Bay Area.

Concentrations of ground-level ozone pollution are forecast to be unhealthy. High levels of ozone pollution are harmful to breathe, especially for young children, seniors and those with respiratory and heart conditions. You can help protect your health by avoiding outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.