TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT: Calif. governor vetoes measure attempting to reduce congestion in Bay Area

California Governor Jerry Brown struck down legislation that would have added an extra lane to the morning commute between the Bay Area and Sacramento, and the move was greeted with criticism on the Internet.

Assembly Bill 2200, introduced by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, would have turned the eastbound carpool lane on I-80 from the Bay Bridge to the Carquinez Bridge back over to single riders during the a.m. hours in an effort to alleviate congestion in the area. Brown, however, vetoed the measure.

“Encouraging carpooling is important to reduce pollution and make more efficient use of our highways,” he wrote in his rejection message. “This bill goes in a wrong direction.”

Readers of the Sacramento Bee, however, lashed out at the Democrat in charge.

“I used to think Gov. Brown was terrific,” one commenter wrote. “Sounds like he doesn’t think clearly anymore.”

“OK, not thinking clearly Governor Brown,” claimed another post. “Yes, lets all sit in traffic with one lane open with no cars, on a trip that’s not easy to carpool because since its reverse commute and is usually an occasional trip. Stupid!”