LAKEPORT >> In an October 21 press release, Caltrans issued a memo that alerted District 1 communities of impending funding for various road improvement projects.
District 1 Public Information Officer Manny Machado informed the Lake County Administration Office that $40.5 million including more than $22.2 million in federal IIJA (The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) support allocations shall go toward the construction of Segment 2B of the Lake 29 Expressway, to widen a 3-mile section of Highway 29 from two to four lanes and other improvements near Kelseyville in Lake County.
In addition, Caltrans noted there is $1.4 million including $51,000 in California Senate Bill 1 funding in support allocations toward pavement repair, sign, guardrail, culvert and other roadway improvements on Highway 29 from Spruce Grove Road to Diener Drive near Clear Lake in Lake County.
“The 40.5 million was funded from the ITIP (Interregional Transportation Improvement Program) to cover project right-of-way capital costs,” Machado said. “An additional $3 million was also funded from the ITIP for right-of-way support costs.”
IPO Machado went on to clarify that the $43.5 million has been allocated to the project. “But the project is still in need of approximately $79.5 million in construction funding, which has yet to be secured,” he added.
Machado also said, “If the project is able to secure construction funding the current project schedule would have construction beginning in 2028. However, delays to securing construction funding would extend this date.” There would be no diversions of traffic during construction. Also, Machado was questioned if Caltrans calculated estimates of whether the planned construction would save motorists much time to their destinations once the new lanes were in operation.
“Time saved is not a primary goal of the project, Machado said. “This may be a benefit, but construction of the project will allow for increased safety on both 29 as well as within the communities along Highway 20 by encouraging existing interregional and truck traffic to utilize 29 in lieu of 20.
Construction of the project will allow for multimodal improvements along Highway 20 within the Northshore communities around Clear Lake. The existing Highway has narrow shoulders, many at grade intersections, limited passing opportunities and geometrics that contribute to congestion and unstable traffic flow.”
