CLEARLAKE — A plan line study is under way for a project to extend Dam Road Extension in Clearlake in order to improve north/south connectivity on the east side of Highway 53.
The proposed project would extend Dam Road Extension from South Center Drive to the north and tie into 18th Avenue at Phillips Avenue.
“This road extension would provide a parallel north/south access to Highway 53 and it would act as a north/south connector for residents to the east of Highway 53,” Clearlake City Engineer Bob Galusha said.
According to Galusha, the project was programmed for Caltrans State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funding for right-of-way and preliminary engineering in fiscal year 2016. “That is the soonest STIP funds would be available for this project,” Galusha said.
The Lake County/City Area Planning Council (APC) approved a grant in the amount of approximately $30,000 in 2011-12 Overall Work Program (OWP) for the development of a study plan, according to Galusha.
“The plan line study would provide a final alignment and grade for the road extension and determine the right-of-way needed for the project,” Galusha said, adding that the plan line study will be reviewed and adopted by the Clearlake Planning Commission and City Council.
In March, the city executed two separate contracts to complete the plan line study for the project, according to Galusha. He said Coastland Civil is handling the overall coordination of the project through meetings of the planning commission and city council.
He said the company is also providing the necessary engineering surveys to develop legal right-of-way descriptions and is coordinating with environmental planner Jerry Haag, whom the city hired to perform the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) environmental review.
Galusha said the contract with Coastland Civil is not exceed $18,497 and the contract with Haag is not exceed $12,450.
“The plan line study will be completed by July 1 to meet APC funding restrictions,” Galusha said, adding that agency is funding the project entirely.
