While regional agencies partner to raise awareness about
improvements needed along the U.S. 101 corridor, projects designed
to improve traffic flow and safety near San Benito County are
already under way.
The U.S. 101 San Juan Road Interchange Project near the Red Barn
just south of the county line is scheduled to begin construction
within two years. The nearly $91 million project
– expected to be complete by 2015 – is designed to reduce delays
on the busy stretch of roadway and improve safety for locals and
commuters.
While regional agencies partner to raise awareness about improvements needed along the U.S. 101 corridor, projects designed to improve traffic flow and safety near San Benito County are already under way.
The U.S. 101 San Juan Road Interchange Project near the Red Barn just south of the county line is scheduled to begin construction within two years. The nearly $91 million project – expected to be complete by 2015 – is designed to reduce delays on the busy stretch of roadway and improve safety for locals and commuters.
Formerly known as “Blood Alley” this stretch of roadway has a traffic volume of more than 53,000 vehicles per day, according to the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, which is helping fund the work.
The project will remove three intersections along 101 – at Dunbarton, San Juan and Cole roads – and construct an interchange near the Red Barn. The agency said more than 160 accidents accounting for 57 injuries and two fatalities occurred in the corridor from 2001 to 2005.
“It closes off the Cole Road access point onto 101 in San Benito County and connects it to a new interchange, so residents don’t have to contend with high-speed traffic while trying to get onto the highway,” COG’s Lisa Rheinheimer said. “It will also help alleviate congestion that often bleeds over into San Benito County. The first and primary focus of these projects is safety. Any time you have access points onto a high-speed roadway, there is a greater potential for big accidents with possible injuries or fatalities.”
Further south along 101, the Prunedale Improvement Project is slated to begin construction in 2011. This $288 million project will construct three new interchanges and overpasses along 101 through north Monterey County and also add a continuous median border from Crazy Horse Canyon to the Russell/Espinosa roads.
The project will eliminate dangerous left turns and is expected to reduce delays, provide safer access for locals and provide congestion relief for between 70,000 and 103,000 vehicles per day.
From 2003-2006, the most recent data available, there were nearly 800 accidents along with 11 fatalities and 453 injuries along the route.
