We’ve come to the end of another year. This year saw (less by conscious decision than happenstance) this website move to bimonthly updates. It also saw some major construction projects begin (such as the reshaping of the Sepulveda Pass), some signficant completions (such as the tunnelling at Devil’s Slide), and loads of maintenance thanks to stimulus funds. It also saw the further decline of misc.transport.road into uselessness, and the growth of Facebook as a communication medium. Speaking of that, if you haven’t friended the California Highways Facebook group, you should. I’ve set it up to get the regular Metro.Net headline posting, and I regularly highlight any highway related articles I find on the net. It is also your place to share news about California Highways, and I pick up that news from there for these updates. So join!
The following are updates from my reading of the papers (which are posted to California Highways Facebook group) as well as any backed up email changes. I also reviewed the the AAroads forum and misc.transport.road. This resulted in changes on the following routes, with credit as indicated [my research(1), contributions of information or leads (via direct mail or Usenet) from ]:Route 17(1), Route 20(1), Route 57(1), Route 60(1), Route 91(1), US 101(1), I-5(1), I-10(1), I-80(1), I-110(1), I-380 [Southern Crossing](1), I-405(1), I-580(1), I-710[Gerald Desmond Bridge](1), I-880(1), Los Angeles County Route N3 [Angeles Forest Highway](1).
Noted an interesting article from Metro.Net that, alas, doesn’t quite fit into any specific highway page nor other pages I have on the site. This article reported on a study exploring the feasibility of conversion of existing HOV lanes in Southern California to HOT lanes. The study had the following key findings:
Constructability: Route 60 (Brea Canyon Road to Azusa Avenue) rated the highest for ease of constructability. Others rated high for ease of construction were I-105, Route 14, and Route 57. These facilities have the preponderance of standard land and shoulder widths, available right-of-way, flat topography, at-grade segments, and minimal interference with utilities and rights-of-way. Five HOV facilities rated medium in this category: I-5, I-210, I-405 north of LAX, I-405 South, and Route 60 (Route 57-Route 71).
Revenue Potential: I-405 North of LAX rated the highest for revenue generating potential. Four HOV facilities were rated medium in this category: I-105, I-210, Route 14, and Route 91.
Connectivity: I-605 rated the highest in this category, followed by I-5, and I-105.
Transit Benefits: I-5 rated the highest in this category, followed by I-10, and I-405 north of LAX.
Based on the Study findings, the following HOV facilities appeared to demonstrate comparatively strong potential for HOT conversion and were recommended for further assessment in the event additional studies are undertaken in Los Angeles County: (1) I-105, from I-405 to I-605; (2) I-405, from I-105 to I-5 north of LAX; (3) Route 91, from I-110 to the Orange County Line; (4) Route 57, from Route 60 to the Orange County Line. Additional consideration was also felt to be warranted for I-10 between I-605 and the San Bernardino County Line.
Another interesting article of note is this one from the Sacramento Bee, which explores the increasing use of auxilliary lanes on Sacramento freeways. Aux lanes are short-distance lanes that run from an onramp to the next offramp. They don’t require environmental studies. Caltrans is now linking up series of lanes in Sacramento to improve traffic flow at lower cost. Caltrans currently wants to link several auxiliary lanes on I-80 in Roseville and create similar linkages on Route 99 in south Sacramento.
Checked the Calnexus page to see if there had been any updates. There weren’t any.
Reviewed the Pending Legislation page. This is a new legislative session, and only a few bills have been introduced yet, and no bills have even progressed out of committee.
I checked the CTC Liaison page for the results of the November meeting. The following items were of interest:
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2.1a. Program Amendments/Project Approvals – STIP Amendments for Action
(1) The Department and the Kern Council of Governments (KCOG) propose to amend the 2010 STIP to revise the funding plan for the Route 46 Expressway – Segment 4 project (PPNO 3386B), reduce the programming for KCOG’s Planning, Programming and Monitoring (PPNO 6L03), and program two new projects, the 7th Standard Road 8-LaneRoute 99 from Route 204 to Beardsley Canal project (PPNO 6267) and theTaft Highway 8-LaneRoute 99 from Route 119 to Wilson Road project (PPNO 6268). Approved. (3) The Department and the Orange County Transportation Authority propose to amend the TCRP Program to designate the Kraemer Boulevard Undercrossing Project as TCRP Project 73.1 and program $1.46 million to construction. Approved. -
2.1b. Program Amendments/Project Approvals – STIP Amendments for Notice
(1) The Department and the Tehama County Transportation Commission propose to amend the Route 99 corridor baseline agreement and the 2010 STIP for the Route 99 Los Molinos project (PPNO 02-3326) to update the project scope, schedule and funding plan for Phase 2. Information only. (2) The Department and the Merced County Association of Governments propose to amend the 2010 STIP to delete the Route 59 Widening project (PPNO 6688) and add the Atwater-Merced Expressway Phase 1A project (PPNO 5264A). Information only. -
2.1c. Traffic Congestion Relief (TCR)Program Application Approvals/Amendments, Proposition 1B CMIA Program/Project Amendments
Proposition 1B CMIA Program Amendments
(1a) The Department and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority propose to amend the CMIA baseline agreement, the 2010 STIP, and the SLPP program for the Route 5 Empire Avenue Interchange project (PPNO 3985) and the Route 5 Burbank Boulevard reconstruction project (PPNO 3986) to combine the two projects for staging and construction purposes and to revise the schedule and funding plan accordingly. Information only. (1b) The Department proposes to amend the CMIA baseline agreement and the 2010 STIP for the Route 91 Widening – Route 55 connector to Weir Canyon project (PPNO 4598A) in Orange County to advance the schedule and split out the landscape work. Information only. (1d) The Department and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority propose to amend the CMIA, STIP and TCRP programs for the Route 5 High Occupancy Vehicle, Orange County Line to Route 605 project (PPNO 2808) in Los Angeles County to split the project into five constructible segments, revise the programmed amount for Construction and Right of Way, and revise the schedule for staging and construction purposes. Approved, as modified. (1e) The San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) propose to amend the CMIA Program to add the I-215 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Bi-County Gap Closure Project, to reprogram $15.5 million of CMIA Private Placement Bond savings from the I-215 Segment 5 and Route 210/I-215 Connector Projects. Approved. (1f) The Department and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) propose to amend the CMIA Program to add the I-10 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes from Citrus to Route 57 Project, to reprogram CMIA funds replaced by regional American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds on the I-405 Carpool Lane Project, in accordance with AB X3-20. Approved.Proposition 1B Route 99 Program Amendments
(2a) The Department and Sutter County propose to amend the Route 99 Corridor baseline agreement for the Riego Road project (PPNO 3L44) in Sutter County to add additional enhancements funded from award savings. Approved. (2b) The Department and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) propose to amend the Route 99 Corridor baseline agreement for the Elverta Road Interchange project (PPNO 0259D) in Sacramento County to update the funding plan and schedule. Approved.Proposition 1B TCIF Program Amendments
(5a) The Southern California Consensus Group, in conjunction with the Port of Long Beach, propose to amend the TCIF Program and the TCIF Project Baseline Agreement for TCIF Project 23: Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project requesting the Commission to program an additional $49.795 million of TCIF to the project, amend the funding plan to reflect the programming of $200 million of SHOPP funds and revise the delivery schedule. Approved, as modified. (5b) The Orange County Transportation Authority proposes to amend the TCIF baseline agreements for two projects, Project 36 (Placentia Avenue Undercrossing Project [PPNO TC36]), to update the project cost, schedule, and funding plan and Project 38 (Kraemer Boulevard Undercrossing [PPNO TC38]), to update the project schedule and funding plan. Approved, as modified. -
2.2c. Environmental Matters – Approval of Projects for Future Consideration of Funding, Route Adoption or New Public Road
(1) Approval of Project for Future Consideration of Funding: 03-But-70, PM 28.2 Route 70 in Butte County. Seismic retrofit of an existing bridge on Route 70 near the city of Oroville. (ND) (PPNO 2269) (SHOPP) The Commission accepted the environmental document and approved the project for future consideration of funding. (2) Approval of Project for Future Consideration of Funding and Route Adoption: 05-SLO-1, PM 64.0/R67.2 Route 1 in San Luis Obispo County. Realignment of a portion of Route 1 near San Simeon. (FEIR) The Commission accepted the environmental document, Findings of Fact, and Statement of Overriding Considerations and approved the project for future consideration of funding and route adoption. (3) Approval of Project for Future Consideration of Funding: 05-SB-101, PM 2.2/3.4 Route 101 in Santa Barbara County. Roadway improvements including reconstruction of interchanges, reconfiguration of on and off ramps, and bridge replacements on Route 101 in the city of Carpinteria. The Commission accepted the environmental documents, the Findings of Fact, and approved the project for future consideration of funding.(4) Approval of Project for Future Consideration of Funding: 06-Kin-41, PM R37.5/R38.1 Route 41 in Kings County. Construct roadway improvements including left turn lanes in both directions on Route 41 near the city of Lemoore. (MND) (PPNO 6456) (SHOPP) The Commission accepted the environmental document and approved the project for future consideration of funding.(5) Approval of Project for Future Consideration of Funding: 06-Fre-180, PM R58.4/R60.4 Route 180 in Fresno County. Construct new braided ramps between Route 41 and Route 168 in the city of Fresno. (MND) (PPNO 6276A) (SHOPP) The Commission accepted the environmental document and approved the project for future consideration of funding.(7) Approval of Project for Future Consideration of Funding: 12-Ora-73, PM 10.0/24.5 Route 73 in Orange County. Stabilize slopes and medians for erosion reduction at nine locations on Route 73 near the city of Mission Viejoin the City of Irvine to south of Greenfield Drive in the city of Laguna Hills. (MND) (PPNO 4051) (SHOPP) The Commission accepted the environmental document and approved the project for future consideration of funding. -
2.3a. Route Adoptions
(1) One Route Adoption as a conventional highway at — 05-SLO-1- PM 64.0/R66.9 Route 1 in the county of San Luis Obispo from 0.3 mile north of the Point Piedras Blancas to Arroyo De La Cruz creek. Approved, as modified. (2) One Route Adoption as a freeway at 07-LA-710 – PM 3.6/5.0 Route 710 in the county of Los Angeles from West Broadway to Terminal Island Freeway Route 47. (Gerald Desmond) Approved, as modified. (3) Rescission of Freeway Adoption in the City of Hayward and Alameda County. — 4-Ala-238 PM 9.2/14.8 Approved, as modified. -
2.3c. Relinquishment Resolutions
02-Teh-99 – PM 18.0/18.2 Right of way in the county of Tehama along Route 99 at 68th Avenue and Le Claire Avenue, consisting of reconstructed county roads. Approved. 05-SLO-227- PM R10.26/R13.97 Right of way in the city of San Luis Obispo on Route 227 (Broad Street, South Street, Higuera Street, and Madonna Road), from the southerly city limits to Route 101. The City, by resolution dated August 17, 2010, waived the 90-day notice requirement and agreed to accept title upon relinquishment by the State. Authorized by Chapter 650, Statutes of 2004, which amended Section 527 of the Streets and Highways Code. Approved. 12-Ora-55 – PM 13.7 Right of way in the city of Orange along Route 55 at Chapman Avenue, consisting of collateral facilities.Approved.
