The Hollister Free Lance had a well-written article on the Farm
Bureau’s 3 -in-1 highway proposal on Aug. 21. Any major
inter-regional highway traffic improvements have a profound impact
on a number of land use issues. San Benito county needs leaders who
not only plan for the needs of today, but plan the needs 20 or more
years into the future.
The Hollister Free Lance had a well-written article on the Farm Bureau’s 3 -in-1 highway proposal on Aug. 21. Any major inter-regional highway traffic improvements have a profound impact on a number of land use issues. San Benito county needs leaders who not only plan for the needs of today, but plan the needs 20 or more years into the future.
Building a six-lane high-speed expressway going to a stoplight and a two-lane road at both ends does not enhance safety. That is what the Hwy. 156 Gap Project is. The Hwy. 156 Gap Project does nothing for volume of high-speed commuter traffic on the county’s rural roads, which I see everyday.
When a highway is constructed, it encourages more traffic and growth within its immediate area, for example the Hwy. 101 corridor from Salinas to San Jose. Is this what the community wants for San Juan Bautista and its rich agricultural resources? The 3-in-1 Plan promotes economic growth development towards Hollister’s business park with better traffic circulation. Good planning utilizes all the attributes of a region, with safety as a priority, but there are many other considerations that must be factored in.
Yes, funding is an issue. From meetings I have attended with different officials, project construction money is not available for the Hwy. 156 Gap Project, the widening of the Hwy. 25 (which the 3-in-1 is a very similar plan, if not the same), or improvements of Hwy. 152 at this time.
If we are successful in recognizing the 3-in-1 plan as a legitimate project option, the time line for funding and build out is the same as any of the three projects, according to CalTrans officials. Also, it gives our local leaders something to fight for in Sacramento, and, in this case, Washington.
Anthony Botelho, San Juan Bautista
