The Hollister public works department is seeking state funding
to perform major repairs on nearly 20 city streets.
Earlier this year the department submitted an application for
$4.5 million in Caltrans State Transportation Improvement Program
funds, but many of the streets included in the application were not
eligible for funding because they were residential.
Hollister – The Hollister public works department is seeking state funding to perform major repairs on nearly 20 city streets.
Earlier this year the department submitted an application for $4.5 million in Caltrans State Transportation Improvement Program funds, but many of the streets included in the application were not eligible for funding because they were residential.
The state is more interested in funding repairs that get high traffic volume, according to Matthew Kelley, an engineer for the public works department.
“A lot of streets in that initial list didn’t qualify for funding,” Kelley said.
This month, city council members approved the revised list of streets, and public works sent it to Caltrans. Kelley said he hopes to hear by late August if the city will get the money.
“I’m going to keep my fingers crossed right now,” he said.
Mayor Pauline Valdivia said that State Transportation Improvement Program money is essential to getting Hollister streets repaired.
“It gives us money to do that,” she said. “Could you imagine what our roads would be like without it?”
There are 58 streets on the list, 19 of which the city wants to repair using state funds. The remaining 39 fall within the Hollister Redevelopment Agency’s project boundaries. Repairs for those streets will be funded by the RDA regardless of whether the city receives state funding, according to Kelley.
Engineers from the public works department perform on-site street surveys, the results of the surveys are analyzed by computer. The result is a prioritized list of roads needing work. Engineers take that list and look at the streets again to determine if they need repairs.
Repairs performed to the streets will be extensive, Kelley said, adding that for the most part the streets would be completely repaved.
“This isn’t filling pot holes,” he said. “These will be like brand new streets.”
If all goes well, Kelley anticipates the road repair might begin in November and will probably continue for three to five months, depending on the size of the company the city hires to do the work.
“If we get a big outfit … work will be done more quickly,” Kelley said, adding that if the city hires a smaller company the job would probably take longer to complete.
Luke Roney covers politics and the environment for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at [email protected]
