Hollister
– San Benito County’s Council of Governments passed a resolution
on Thursday identifying the widening of Highways 25, 152 and 156 as
the region’s highest transportation priorities. COG’s board of
directors unanimously supported the measure.
Hollister – San Benito County’s Council of Governments passed a resolution on Thursday identifying the widening of Highways 25, 152 and 156 as the region’s highest transportation priorities. COG’s board of directors unanimously supported the measure.
“This will resonate to the boards that follow,” said Interim Executive Director Bob Davies.
The resolution echoes one passed by the San Benito County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 24. Davies said the only differences between COG’s resolution and the supervisors’ is that he translated the wording into “COG-ese” – for example, changing “highways” to “state routes” – and identified specific sections of the highways for widening.
“The intent of the resolution remains the same; its importance remains the same,” Davies said.
According to Davies, passing this resolution will increase the county’s chances of obtaining political and monetary support on local, state and federal levels. He said the resolution will show that San Benito is in favor of Santa Clara County’s planned improvements to 152. Santa Clara’s Valley Transportation Authority, Davies said, will pass a reciprocal measure in favor of San Benito’s projects. Davies’ report to the board states that the resolution is also backed by State Senator Jeff Denham.
Before the vote, board member Anthony Botelho said, “What’s important to me is to maintain the rural and historical character … of this whole region.”
Botelho said the resolution will protect the county’s character, adding that he supports the measure because he doesn’t want California’s Department of Transportation to dictate the county policy.
“This leaves the door open for our very vocal involvement in the particulars (of these projects),” he said.
Board member George Dias, who previously expressed his opposition to the expansion of Highway 156 because of its effect on the San Juan Valley, asked if voting against the resolution would hurt COG’s position. He was told that he could abstain, but Dias eventually voted in favor of the proposal.
When the supervisors passed the resolution in October – also unanimously – a number of community members spoke for and against it, leading to what Botelho said was a “very long discussion.”
In addition to identifying the construction of four lanes on Highways 152, 156 and 25 as the county’s highest priorities, the supervisors’ resolution states their desire to preserve prime agricultural land. The measure also encourages state and regional transportation agencies to encourage traffic flow on 152, making it the primary route between the San Joaquin Valley and the coastal regions of northern California.
Anthony Ha covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at (831) 637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
