The San Benito County Council of Governments gave two of its
board members the okay Wednesday to go to Sacramento next week to
talk to Caltrans officials about improving and repairing roads that
may be affected if increased traffic results from the design for
the proposed Don Pacheco Y flyover.
Hollister – The San Benito County Council of Governments gave two of its board members the okay Wednesday to go to Sacramento next week to talk to Caltrans officials about improving and repairing roads that may be affected if increased traffic results from the design for the proposed Don Pacheco Y flyover.
Last week news of the Sept. 26 meeting, which was arranged by COG Director and county Supervisor Pat Loe, caught some members of the COG board by surprise. At that time they said they were uncomfortable with board members going to the capitol to represent them when they had been consulted.
The issue was resolved during Wednesday’s special meeting when the COG board adopted a resolution permitting Loe and COG Director and Hollister Mayor Pauline Valdivia to represent the board in the meeting with Caltrans officials.
“I think this is the most constructive, positive way to let our concerns be known without slowing down the project,” said COG Director Anthony Botelho.
Though they agree that improvements are needed at Don Pacheco Y, county officials have long been concerned that the flyover design chosen by Santa Clara County’s Valley Transportation Authority, which is undertaking the project, will bring more truck traffic onto county roads because it will connect Highway 152 directly to Highway 156.
Assistant Public Works Director Arman Nazemi, who will also attend the meeting with Caltrans, said that he is certain that VTA’s flyover design will bring more traffic into the county because it will create an easy route for truckers who want to avoid the traffic congestion that is common on westbound Highway 152.
In addition to authorizing the meeting with Caltrans, the resolution adopted Wednesday reiterates this concern and requests a memorandum of understanding between COG, Caltrans and the VTA to deal with increased traffic from the flyover, should it occur.
“I really believe that instead of doing anything that looks like were trying to hold up the project, we need to go forward with a formal (memorandum of understanding),” Loe said.
Dave Murray, regional planner for Caltrans, said during Wednesday’s meeting that his agency supported COG’s efforts, adding that Caltrans will conduct studies to determine the affect of the flyover on county roads.
“I think you’re on the right track,” he said to the COG board. “We’re certainly in support of the right process to work collaboratively.”
Valdivia said that for that collaboration to work, COG must be informed of decisions and changes that may affect San Benito County. She added that COG has not always been in the loop when it comes to regional traffic planning.
“Guilty as charged,” Murray said. “We do need to be more communicative.”
Ever since the debate over the flyover design flared up in July, the VTA has maintained that it does not believe that the flyover will increase traffic.
“It is our position that following the construction of the 152 flyover, San Benito County won’t need any mitigation for their roads,” VTA Communications Manager Jayme Kunz said.
Luke Roney covers politics and the environment for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at lr****@fr***********.com
