Funding For Road Projects in Tulare County Approved by State

Funding For Road Projects in Tulare County Approved by State

Tulare County obtained more than $92 million in road project funding from the state, officials with the Tulare County Association of Governments announced.

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) today approved $83 million for the widening of Highway 99, between Goshen and Kingsburg, and $2.3 million for the widening of Road 80, between Avenue 328 and Avenue 342. The CTC also approved $7 million for three Caltrans operations and rehabilitation projects in Tulare County.

District Five Supervisor Mike Ennis, who also serves as chairman of the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG), said motorists traveling through and in Tulare County will have an easier drive in the near future with the widening of Highway 99 and Road 80.

“Anytime we can improve Highway 99 it helps all of us,” Supervisor Ennis said. “Highway 99 is a backbone for goods movement for Tulare County and the San Joaquin Valley.”

Ennis credits TCAG staff, Measure R, and lobbying trips to Washington, D.C. and Sacramento as factors in receiving the funding. TCAG is responsible for overseeing and planning projects with the county and each of its cities, helping to bring tax money back home to fund bus service, road improvements, projects that will improve air quality, and more.

Highway 99 Project

TCAG Executive Director Ted Smalley said the funding for Highway 99 will be used to expand the road to six lanes – three lanes on north and south bound lanes - from Goshen to Kingsburg.

Smalley said the both projects will start within a year. Bids typically go out between six months after allocation, but actual start/end dates depend on the details of the bid process and the timing of the construction season.

Road 80 Project

The $2.3 million in funding for Road 80, between Avenues 328 and 342, will be used to widen the stretch of road from two to four lanes. This is one of four phases to widen Road 80 to four lanes from Visalia to Dinuba.

Smalley credits Measure R, a one-half cent sales tax approved by Tulare County voters in 2006, for the approval of funding from the California Transportation Commission.

“Tulare County is using Measure R funds to leverage for additional state funding,” Smalley said. “The result is a true stimulus funding to Tulare County and its incorporated cities.”

More Road Project Funding

The California Transportation Commission also approved funding for the following projects:

Sidewalk curb ramps at various locations for ADA requirements: $428 thousand
SR 216 road rehabilitation from McAuliff Road to Friant-Kern Canal - $2.6 million
SR 245 road rehabilitation from SR 198 to SR 201 - $3.9 million

The CTC is also adding $7.8 million in State Proposition 1B funds for the construction of the Plaza Drive Interchange/SR198 auxiliary lanes project in fiscal year 2011/2012.