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Transportation leaders lauded the opening of a realigned and safer Vasco Road Monday.

The regional roadway, which has become a primary access route between job centers in the Tri-Valley area and residences in the southern portion of east Contra Costa County, was closed last weekend for improvements. Traffic volumes on Vasco have more than doubled from 10,000 vehicles per day in 1990 to over 22,000 in 2007. The increase in traffic has resulted in a high number of injury and fatal collisions on Vasco Road, both in Contra Costa County and Alameda County.

In 2004, the Alameda County Public Works Agency, the Contra Costa County Public Works Agency, City of Brentwood, City of Livermore, the Alameda County Sheriff's Department and the California Highway Patrol offices in both counties collaborated to reduce the accident rate along Vasco Road.

The now complete Vasco Road Safety Improvements Project improves safety for drivers traveling along this segment of Vasco Road. The project straightened curves and realigned approximately 1.3 miles of Vasco Road in eastern Alameda County. The reconstructed roadway provides new and improved alignment and grade, wider shoulders, and adds truck/bus climbing lanes. The improvements are expected to improve traffic flow and safety and facilitate express and regular bus service between the two counties.