Caltrans has scheduled a number of highway improvement projects during 2008.
“I have good news and bad news for you,” Project Mike Yancheff said before the Lower Lake Community Action Group. “The good news is that there will be at least 12 construction and improvement projects, with most of the work done at night. The bad news is that there will be at least 12 construction and improvement projects.”
Speaking about traffic impacts, “It”s the nature of roadwork,” Yancheff said. “We try to avoid tying people up with congestion when we can.”
The presentation was accompanied by a map showing several locations of various construction and improvement projects. “You”re looking at more than $60 million in improvements,” said Alan Escarda, Caltrans district 1 construction engineer.
Clearlake residents can expect to see road widening at the intersection of State Route 53 and Lakeshore Drive (MPM 3.0) to include left-hand turn pockets.
Shoulder widening will take place near Lower Lake on SR 29 from Hofacker Lane to 0.4 miles north of Hofacker Lane.
Capital-improvement maintenance will take place on SR 29 near Lower Lake from Seigler Creek Bridge to 0.2 miles south of Main Street. “These are approximately the limits of the Lower Lake Expressway Project, but this is not it,” Yancheff said, adding that actual expressway construction should begin in 2012. “We”re working now with environmental documents.”
Curve realignment continues along SR 20 headed east toward Williams. “This project is about half done and will continue in April,” Yancheff said.
Caltrans representatives stressed the importance of safety when managing road construction. “You can expect minor delays but people like you help me do my job,” said Oungkar Narine, Caltrans resident engineer. “If you see something unsafe, you will have our numbers and you can call us.”
To reach Caltrans Dist. 1 office for general information, call 445-6600. Project Manager Mike Yancheff is available at 441-2097.
Local Caltrans projects include:
n District-Wide
* Construct ADA curb ramps, repair bridge decks and repair bridges at various locations.
n State Route 20
* Capital preventive maintenance from 0.6 miles east of the Mendocino County line to Polk Jones Cattlepass;
* Shoulder widening from 1.1 mile east of SR 29 to 0.1 mile west of the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff; and
* Rehabilitate roadway and realign curves about 20 km east of Clearlake Oaks from 2.2 km east of north fork Cache Creek Bridge to 2.7 km west of Walker Ridge Road.
n State Route 29
* Widen highway and install lighting near Middletown from 0.2 miles south of Rancheria Road to 0.2 miles south of Sheveland Road;
* Channelize intersection and add overhead lighting near Middletown from 0.3 miles south to 0.3 miles north of Hidden Valley Road;
* Shoulder widening near Lower Lake from Hofacker Lane to 0.4 mile north of Hofacker Lane;
* Capital preventive maintenance near Lower Lake from Seigler Creek Bridge to 0.2 mile south of Main Street; and
* Open grade asphalt concrete and dynamic signs near Lakeport from Ackley Road to 0.6 miles north of SR 175 and on SR 175 from Soda Bay Road to 0.2 mile west of SR 29.
n State Route 53
* Existing traffic signal and widen roadway in Clearlake at the intersection of SR 53 and 40th Avenue/Lakeshore Drive.
Contact Cynthia Parkhill at cparkhill@clearlakeobserver.com.
