Changes Proposed to Three California State Highways in Delta Region

[andy3175]

From http://www.sacbee.com/2013/04/07/5322193/state-water-tunnel-plans-call.html:

The state of California's proposal to build two massive water diversion tunnels beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is a major undertaking by itself. But the current plans also call for rerouting and reconfiguring three state highways to handle a decade of heavy construction traffic.

Conceptual engineering documents obtained by The Bee illustrate detours on Highway 160 in Sacramento County around each of three huge water intakes proposed for the project, called the Bay Delta Conservation Plan.

Other documents discuss the need for new interchanges on highways 4 and 12 along the tunnel alignment. This might entail widening each highway to add a middle turn lane so heavy construction traffic could safely access work areas along the tunnel route.

According to preliminary estimates by the state Transportation Department, altering the highways would cost at least $265 million. Once the intakes are built, the Highway 160 detours would be relocated again, moved to the top of new larger levee segments.

All three state highways in the Delta are narrow, two-lane roads that are precarious and often crowded under present conditions. They bounce over shifting peat soil, meander along curving levees with steep drops, and squeeze across old drawbridges. Horrific accidents are common.

Most Delta residents are already firmly opposed to the tunnels. The revelation that the project may come with drastic highway modifications, and years of construction detours, just adds another strike. And though they sometimes complain about road conditions now, they don't welcome highway changes intended to serve a water diversion project.

Highway 160, a state-designated scenic highway, is crucial to agriculture in Sacramento County. Residents depend on the movement of farm products for their livelihood, and on a steady flow of tourists who come for the river views and farm stands along the highway.

Caltrans spokesman Dennis Keaton said feasibility studies indicate the Highway 160 realignments would cost $65 million to $75 million. Adding turn lanes to highways 4 and 12 is estimated to cost $199 million. These estimates do not include land acquisition and environmental mitigation.

Regards,
Andy