152/156 project set for completion next year
A highway improvement project intended to make traveling through
northern San Benito County faster and safer is on schedule for
completion next year.
152/156 project set for completion next year
A highway improvement project intended to make traveling through northern San Benito County faster and safer is on schedule for completion next year.
Projections show that the Highways 156/152 interchange project will be completed sometime by late summer next year.
Dubbed “the flyover project” by Caltrans, the new interchange will eliminate a grade-level crossing. Now, motorists traveling west on 152 who wish to exit onto 156 must turn left across oncoming traffic. When conditions are congested, waiting traffic backs up into the 152 traffic lane. The new interchange will route eastbound 152 traffic onto a ramp that “flies over” oncoming cars and trucks.
The $34.5 million project, which is being funded through local, state and federal sources, was started in April of this year. $6 million of the funds are local ; $11.45 million is from state funds and $17.35 million in federal funds.
In addition to the flyover, the construction includes a ground-level lane from eastbound 152 to the westbound 156 connector ramp.
Additionally, the roadway between westbound 152 and westbound 156 will be reconstructed, as will the eastbound and westbound lanes of 152. Eastbound 156 to westbound 152 traffic will exit the highway at Casa de Fruta Parkway. Fresh landscaping will surround the entire project area.
There are actually two construction projects happening near the highway interchange, according to Ethan Winston, a spokesman.
“The problem is that there are two different construction projects happening concurrently,” Winston said. “There is a truck-passing lane being constructed between the westbound 152/156 intersection and San Felipe Road. Because the projects are so close together people always assume all the work is ours.”
The traffic impact really differs from week to week, according to Winston, but lately workers have been moving soil from the edges of the road to build up the mound they will use for the flyover. Winston said that portion of the project should be finished this week.
Nate Reynolds, a truck driver from Los Banos, drives this section of freeway regularly and he said he will be thrilled when construction is finished.
“I drive it three or four times per week to make deliveries to the Bay Area and it’s always slow, usually more so coming than going, but it’s still a pain,” Reynolds said. “Far as I’m concerned next year can’t come soon enough.”
Not everyone is bothered by the construction. A Casa de Fruta employee who declined to be identified, said that business is up, especially at the gas station.
Hollister Mayor Brad Pike sits on the San Benito County Council of Governments and said he feels like the project is progressing at a reasonable pace.
“I think it’s going as well as anticipated,” Pike said. “I’m hopeful that the main part of the project can be completed before the winter weather sets in.”
In addition to the time element, Pike was excited about the safety improvements the project will bring to the county.
“I think [the flyover] will be a huge safety improvement,” Pike said. “Especially for commuters. I also think it will be a good tie-in with the 101 northeast connection. It should also be a great relief for gridlock too, especially on Fridays when commuter traffic seems to be worst.”
Nighttime work is resuming now that the summer’s last holiday weekend has passed.
