One of the area’s most traffic-laden stretches of road may stay
that way if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed 2005 budget,
which will raid an account intended to pay for transportation
improvements to balance the state’s finances, is approved by
legislators this summer.
Hollister – One of the area’s most traffic-laden stretches of road may stay that way if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed 2005 budget, which will raid an account intended to pay for transportation improvements to balance the state’s finances, is approved by legislators this summer.
The Pacheco Y, the area notorious for stalled traffic where Highway 152 and 156 intersect en route to the Central Valley, was set to see some traffic mitigation as early as 2006. The plan called for creating a “flyover” where a section of 152 would be elevated above where cars turn on to 156 toward Hollister.
But under the Governor’s plan, state funding to pay for the project would be diverted to help the state balance its budget. It could be at least another four years until the flyover could see construction, if the Governor’s budget passes this summer.
During heavy traffic, “good Samaritan” motorists heading east on 152 from Gilroy often stop at the Y to allow drivers to make a left turn onto 156 – although they have no stop or yield sign. The kind gesture, however, can back-up eastbound cars and trucks all the way to Gilroy, about 13 miles away.
Hollister City Councilman, San Benito County Marshal, and former Highway Patrol Officer Robert Scattini said the interchange is in desperate need of the relief the flyover would provide.
“When I was on the Highway Patrol I worked that area quite a bit, and on a Friday night it’s almost impossible to come into Hollister. It’s one of the worst roadways in this whole area right now, because there’s a lot of traffic on there; you’ve got two highways that come together. Going it’s not that bad, but coming it’s a big deal,” Scattini said.
The flyover project was promised in 1996 with ballot Measure B, but a half-cent sales tax couldn’t cover the costs. Many feared it would be further delayed after the cash-strapped state rejected funding for it early this year, but the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in March decided to spend $11.5 million in federal funds on the problem. The total cost of the project is about $30 million.
“This only makes a tight situation even tighter,” said John Ristow, a deputy director with the Santa Clara Valley Transport Authority (VTA). “We’ve had to patch this project together, and we thought we were in good shape, but now we’re left doing a lot of scrambling.”
The governor’s budget proposal includes siphoning about $3 billion dollars from Proposition 42, a 2002 voter-approved ballot measure that sets aside fuel tax revenue for highway improvement projects. The VTA was counting on receiving the balance of the funds this summer.
Hollister City Councilman Brad Pike, best-known for his “Stay Alive on 25” highway safety campaign, said he was disappointed to see the transportation budget diminished and the project stalled.
“This is not going to help the road, or the safety on that road at all. I was looking forward to that being completed to mitigate at least one hazard in our community,” said Pike.
But Dist. 2 County Supervisor Anthony Botelho said the hiatus on the project may be a blessing in disguise because it will allow the new board of supervisors to re-examine their stance on county transportation issues.
“It just kind of gives us more time for San Benito County to get our house in order as far as what our inter-regional traffic plan ought to be for our town,” he said. “I think the plan was flawed to have the flyover without solutions for the other three highways. These projects have to be pulled in together at the same time, and with the flyover so much further advanced than the Hwy. 25 improvement, I don’t think this was the right time.”
One project the cut in transportation funds will not greatly affect is the Highway 25 widening and safety improvements project, according to Council of San Benito County Governments Transportation Planner Mary Dinkuhn.
“The funding we have for that is pretty secure because we’re using mostly local funds. So we’re not hugely concerned. But it (the possible cut in the transportation budget) could affect future projects,” she said.
Safety improvements should be finished in Winter of 2006.
Jessica Quandt covers politics for the Free Lance. Reach her at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or at [email protected].
