Traffic congestion a sign the economy is thriving

In Erin Baldassari’s postelection article on Regional Measure 3, the $3 bridge toll hike over six years (“Bridge toll hike is ‘first step’?” Page A1, June 8), the issue of population arose.

“With how many people are moving here … we’ve got to do something or we’ll just crumble,” said an Oakland resident.

That’s clearly not the case, particularly for San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, which had the highest share of residents leaving, primarily due to unaffordable housing costs, reported Katy Murphy on June 1 (“Report reveals people fleeing Silicon Valley,” Page B1).

Traffic congestion is a problem that plagues the Bay Area, but it’s a sign that the economy is thriving.

With almost 50 percent of residents saying that want to leave the Bay Area due to housing costs, as Marisa Kendall reported on June 3 (“Poll: Many Bay Area residents want out,” Page A1), that’s a crisis.