Why does the new Highway 132 freeway in Modesto not connect to 99S?

Started by thsftw, May 23, 2023, 06:05:08 PM

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thsftw

I decided to take a trip to Yosemite and cross the valley on the new freeway instead of highway 120 which is always horribly backed up. When I thought I was about to merge onto highway 99, the ramp never connects and takes you back onto downtown city streets for a few blocks, then you have to merge onto 99 after that. I don't remember this being a part of the original schematics and also makes this new freeway a bit pointless?


Concrete Bob

I wondered about that, too.  I am guessing that a direct flyover from SR 99N to SR 132W will be added in a separate phase of construction, as well as a direct connector from SR 132 EB to SR 99SB.  Over the next few years, Stanislaus County will be very busy with freeway construction.  Westward construction on SR 132 from Dakota Avenue to Gates Road is expected to begin in 2024, and be completed by 2026.  At that time, the existing stretch of SR 132 from SR 99 to Dakota Avenue will be re-striped to accommodate two lanes in each direction.

https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-10/district-10-current-projects/state-route-132-dakota-avenue-to-gates-road-project

Additionally, construction on the North County Corridor is expected to begin this summer, if it hasn't already.  The new freeway/expressway will largely replace SR 108 between Modesto and Oakdale. 

https://northcountycorridorphase1.com/

Stanislaus County is being very proactive in their long-range transportation planning.  Their citizenry passed a half-cent sales tax to build the new corridors and upgrade their existing network of arterials. 

TheStranger

A side question that the new routing creates:

Will 132 continue to follow the former US 99 routing through town, or will it eventually continue east along Needham to eventually connect to Yosemite Boulevard on a different path?
Chris Sampang

froggie

Quote from: TheStranger on May 24, 2023, 04:25:35 AM
A side question that the new routing creates:

Will 132 continue to follow the former US 99 routing through town, or will it eventually continue east along Needham to eventually connect to Yosemite Boulevard on a different path?

New GMSV (from March) along the new ramps suggests that it will still take L and 9th.

TheStranger

Following off of froggie's post, here are some current Google Street View shots:

- Signage eastbound identifying Kansas Avenue as "To CA 99"
https://goo.gl/maps/ySemYDBHFv6wjLbf8

- East 132/108 trailblazer signage where the ramp from the 132 expressway eastbound connects to the ramp from 99 south going to Maze Boulevard/L Street
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.6395857,-121.0080791,3a,27.2y,156.59h,93.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSyk3sOhkxqZjejmqOPKunA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

- New sign gantry on northbound 6th Street where 132 now continues along the ramp towards Kansas Avenue
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.6398156,-121.0067035,3a,75y,313.02h,100.65t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s9ms8uRnkk2r2cNrh3SqcRw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

- New sign for 132 West/Kansas Avenue for 99 north
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.6422096,-121.0101983,3a,75y,297.01h,101.92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suyJuiqdGROQQe1Hz7VkehA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

Chris Sampang

jdbx

I just looked at street view of the new freeway and I'm kind of surprised first of all that they didn't bother building any sort of median barrier, and that they striped it the way they did with only a single lane each way.  Perhaps the lack of median barrier is the reason why.  I guess the objective was to open it ASAP to get some traffic relief vs waiting until the final details like the median barrier and connecting ramp to CA-99 South were complete.

pderocco

Quote from: TheStranger on May 24, 2023, 10:49:43 AM
Following off of froggie's post, here are some current Google Street View shots:

- Signage eastbound identifying Kansas Avenue as "To CA 99"
https://goo.gl/maps/ySemYDBHFv6wjLbf8

- East 132/108 trailblazer signage where the ramp from the 132 expressway eastbound connects to the ramp from 99 south going to Maze Boulevard/L Street
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.6395857,-121.0080791,3a,27.2y,156.59h,93.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSyk3sOhkxqZjejmqOPKunA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

- New sign gantry on northbound 6th Street where 132 now continues along the ramp towards Kansas Avenue
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.6398156,-121.0067035,3a,75y,313.02h,100.65t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s9ms8uRnkk2r2cNrh3SqcRw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

- New sign for 132 West/Kansas Avenue for 99 north
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.6422096,-121.0101983,3a,75y,297.01h,101.92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suyJuiqdGROQQe1Hz7VkehA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
Wow, that's really weird. The connection between the 132 freeway and L street runs along two frontage roads right next to 99, without access to 99. The left turns onto L from the two segregated SE-bound lanes (from 99 and 132) have separate lights, making the light cycle even longer. It's pretty uncommon to see two parallel roads with separate light phases like that.



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