CA 99 Widening

[rte66man]

I did not see anything on this. Mods. please feel free to move/merge as needed.

Two widening and interchange improvements for CA99 in Tulare and Kern Counties

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions on Proposed Highway in California

SUMMARY: The FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by Caltrans that are final. The actions relate
to a proposed highway project, on State Route 99 from post miles 56.4-57.6 in Kern County and post miles 0.0-13.5 in Tulare County, State of
California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Caltrans proposes to rehabilitate the pavement and construct an additional northbound and southbound lane
on State Route 99 from Delano to Pixley in Kern and Tulare counties.

and

SUMMARY: The FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by Caltrans, that are final. The actions relate
to a proposed highway project, on State Route 99 from post miles 25.2 to post mile 30.6 in Tulare County, State of California.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Caltrans proposes to widen State Route 99 in the City of Tulare from just south of the Avenue 200
Overcrossing to the Prosperity Avenue Overcrossing (post miles 25.2 to 30.6). One lane would be built in each direction in the freeway median
to create a six-lane freeway. The existing interchange at Paige Avenue would be reconstructed to a tight diamond layout and two roundabouts
would be constructed on Paige Avenue at Blackstone Street and Laspina Street.

[cahwyguy]

Well, it's on my page on Route 99 ( https://www.cahighways.org/ROUTE099.html ) , and as it is from the CTC minutes, has been in my highway page update posts:

Delano to Pixley 6-Lanes project (PPNO 7072, EA 0W791) (06-Ker-99, PM 56.4/57.6; 06-Tul-99, PM 0.0/13.5)

In August 2021, the CTC amended the STIP to add the following project: Delano to Pixley 6-Lanes project (PPNO 7072, EA 0W791). 06-TUL-99 0.000/13.500. Route 99 Near Earlimart, from County line Road Overcrossing to 0.7 miles north of Avenue 100 (Court Street) Overcrossing.  Widen from 4-lanes to 6-lanes.  Also in Kern County from 0.1 miles south of Cecil Avenue Overcrossing to County Line Road.  Restriped the northbound lanes from lanes to three lanes. Updated financials ($ × 1,000): R/W Cap: $225; Const Cap: $56,800 ⇒ $81,800; PA&ED $3,360 ⇒ $5,160; PS&E $4,450 ⇒ $4,650; R/W Sup $400; Const Sup $10,128 ⇒ $11,100; Total: $75,363 ⇒ $103,335. NOTE: (1) Funding shortfall will be covered by a combination of SR 99 Bond funds and Tulare RIP funds.
(Source: August 2021 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.1a.(2))

In January 2022, the CTC approved a Proposition 1B - State Route 99 Bond Program Amendment to add the Delano to Pixley 4 to 6-Lane Project in Kern and Tulare Counties, and program $25,000,000 $30,900,000 to Right of Way and Construction Capital in Fiscal Year 2023-24.(PPNO 7072). Specifically, the amendment programs $3 million to the Right of Way phase in Fiscal Year 2023-24 and $27.9 million to Construction Capital in Fiscal Year 2023-24
(Source: January 2022 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 4.16)

In 2022, the CTC approved including "SR-99 Delano to Pixley 6 lanes" in the list of projects for the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 (CRRSAA). The CRRSAA Program guidelines require regions submit a project list for allocation by the Commission prior to the obligation of funds. Under CRRSAA, the funds may be used for a broad range of surface transportation purposes listed in Section 113(b) of Title 23 of the U.S. Code and are meant to "prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus." Specifically, CRRSAA allows states to cover revenue losses, which is important given that California's State-generated transportation revenues have declined by about $1.5 billion due to the pandemic. Additionally, CRRSAA allows the funds to be used for  preventive and routine maintenance; operations; personnel; salaries; contracts; debt service payments; and availability payments; as well as transfers to public tolling agencies. At the March 2021 Commission meeting, the CTC approved the CRRSAA funding distribution and regional apportionments. The CRRSAA allocation for this project was $1,028,000.
(Source: August 2022 CTC Minutes, Agenda Item 2.5k)

In October 2023, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding the following project for which a Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) has been completed: Route 99 in Kern and Tulare Counties. Improve a segment of Route 99 from a 4-lane highway to a 6-lane highway. The project also proposes to construct an additional lane, shoulder, and concrete barrier in the existing median and rehabilitate the pavement. (06-Ker-99, PM 56.4/57.6; 06-Tul-99, PM 0.0/13.5; PPNO 7072 and PPNO 6963). The project is currently programmed for a total of $109,235,000. The project is funded through the following programs: Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act ($1,028,000), State Transportation and Improvement Program (STIP) ($2,972,000), Proposition 1B State Route 99 ($30,900,000) and State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) ($74,335,000). Construction is estimated to begin 2024-25. The scope, as described for the preferred alternative, is consistent with the project scope as programmed by the Commission in the 2022 STIP and SHOPP. A copy of the FEIR has been provided to Commission staff. Resources in the project area that may be impacted by the project include visual/aesthetics, hazardous waste, noise, and Swainson's hawk. Potential impacts associated with the project can all be mitigated to below significance with the exception of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), for which a Statement of Overriding Considerations and Findings pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act was prepared. As a result, a FEIR was prepared for the project.
(Source: October 2023 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.2c.(6))

[Max Rockatansky]

One negative to all these widening projects is that all the funky 1950s era exits and entrances are being eliminated.  The one where J Street in Tulare merged into the left hand northbound lanes was recently removed.  Mind you, all of this needed given how antiquated the freeway was in southern Tulare County but seeing vintage structures go always kind of sucks regardless.

[hurricanehink]

One negative to all these widening projects is that all the funky 1950s era exits and entrances are being eliminated.  The one where J Street in Tulare merged into the left hand northbound lanes was recently removed.  Mind you, all of this needed given how antiquated the freeway was in southern Tulare County but seeing vintage structures go always kind of sucks regardless.

There'll always be GSV for the vintage structures once the outdated intersections are improved 😉

[Max Rockatansky]

One negative to all these widening projects is that all the funky 1950s era exits and entrances are being eliminated.  The one where J Street in Tulare merged into the left hand northbound lanes was recently removed.  Mind you, all of this needed given how antiquated the freeway was in southern Tulare County but seeing vintage structures go always kind of sucks regardless.

There'll always be GSV for the vintage structures once the outdated intersections are improved 😉

Can't say I'm one to rely on GSV for vintage photos all that often.  I have my own photo stock and a collection of CHPWs to draw from.