One of the main issues of concern in District 2 is Highway 156.
This is also a countywide problem that needs to be addressed with
progressive planning.
Due to excessive growth in recent years throughout the Central
California region, Highway 156 has increased in traffic volume from
Monterey to Fresno by 50 to 60 percent.
One of the main issues of concern in District 2 is Highway 156. This is also a countywide problem that needs to be addressed with progressive planning.
Due to excessive growth in recent years throughout the Central California region, Highway 156 has increased in traffic volume from Monterey to Fresno by 50 to 60 percent.
For this reason, Caltrans is proposing a six-lane espressway through the San Juan Valley from The Alameda to Union Road. I have a more sensible solution. The San Benito County Farm Bureau and I have been working on a new highway in the Bolsa area.
Consider the following advantages of our proposal:
– It will improve safety on Highways 156, 25 and 152. The safety on other county roads, like Frazier Lake, San Juan Valley and Shore Road, will also be improved.
– Re-routing the interregional traffic through the Bolsa area will maintain the rural character of the San Juan Valley and San Juan Bautista and, more importantly, it will preserve valuable farmland.
– Decreasing truck traffic through San Juan Valley will improve our air quality.
Our proposal is the best use of our traffic tax dollars. According to the Valley Transit Authority, our proposal will save $5 million.
My opponent proposes a four-lane freeway through San Juan Valley. This will NOT improve traffic safety on Highway 156. Consider the following problems:
– We will end up with a bottlenecked two-lane divided highway with stoplights and dangerous cross traffic.
– According to County Water District studies, the San Juan Creek is over-capacitated during flood events. Widening Highway 156 will only add to the problem, with excessive flooding along the length of the San Juan Valley.
– San Juan Valley prime farmland will be paved over.
– According to some Caltrans officials, this proposal is dangerous because every property owner will still maintain direct access to the highway.
As your supervisor, I will be deeply committed to improving the safety of our roads and highways. If you wish to meet with me personally to discuss the issues our county faces, please give me a call at 831-801-8246.
Anthony Botelho,
Candidate for District 2 Supervisor
