Panelists answered the following: Is an expansion of Highway 25 between Hollister and Gilroy more urgent than the project to expand Highway 156 from Hollister to San Juan Bautista?
Jim West: Depends on who you ask—commuters going to Silicon Valley or those going to Watsonville/Salinas—or interstate commerce hauling between the coast and the San Joaquin Valley? And where will the money for these projects come from? Caltrans has been adamant that it will not fund “local” improvements to Highway 25. But it will fund “regional” improvements to Highway 156. So unless the residents of San Benito County are willing to tax themselves to improve Highway 25 ($90 Million at last count) improving Highway 25 will only be “urgent” to those who commute on it.
Bill Mifsud: I think it would be better to expand Highway 156 from San Juan to Hollister. There are more logistics with the Highway 25 project in that multiple counties are involved. You see what Santa Clara county did with Highway 25—nothing. The concrete barriers end at the county line. Let’s focus on Highway 156.
Ruth Erickson: This has been an ongoing problem for years with no conclusions, only more questions and discussions. Both state highways are important, well used and can have stop and go traffic at commute times. We should be concerned about the next few years when about 2,000 or more new homes will be built in this county, with thousands of new commuters. Until we attract more industry and good jobs, we will have increased traffic woes into and out of our bedroom community.
Mary Zanger: I would like to see Highway 156 widened priority wise. Both highways depend on proper budgeting that has been cut by Republicans. Remember, budget cuts prevent these infrastructure improvements that save lives and create jobs for our economy.
