Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council last week took over as lead agency in an alignment project for the Prospect Drive intersection on Sutter Hill, and authorized staff to seek funding from the state for the estimated $1.7 million project.

City Manager Sean Rabe in a report said the city has $1.7 million available, with half each to be paid by local and state funds. The Amador County Transportation Commission in November approved Sutter Creek to be lead agency for construction of the project, under Proposition 1B, a competitive state and local partnership grant, though which the city is slated to get $885,000. Amador County’s Regional Traffic Mitigation Fee funding of $885,000 is also available. Both funding sources are available for construction only.

Rabe said the environmental document was approved in June, design is complete, right-of-way has been acquired from the school district, and an acquisition offer was sent in November to Ed Swift. A Caltrans encroachment permit was in progress.

The project would build an extension of Prospect Drive to align it with Bowers Drive, in an intersection on Highway 104. It would not signalize the intersection, but would build conduit to do so. Rabe said it would be signalized at a later date.

Mayor Gary Wooten asked about through lanes, and said going straight across Highway 104 might be a challenge at times.

Dokken’s Matt Griggs said the intersection’s long center lane will be divided into a left-turn lane onto Prospect, and a left-turn lane onto Bowers.

The proposed budget included contingencies of $110,000, construction contract for $1.5 million and management at $160,000. Councilwoman Linda Rianda said the project would have minimum impact to city staff. Rabe said he would monitor the project, and make sure bills get paid.

He said the project will be ready for bidding in early spring of 2011, upon receipt of Prop 1B funds. He said “bidding of the project may be delayed as the Proposition 1B allocation may be dependent upon the sale and priorities of state bonds.” Rabe said “even with the potential bond delays, staff believes construction will proceed in 2011.”

The council voted 4-0 to approve the city’s lead agency status on the project, and authorized Rabe to request funding and contact Caltrans Local Assistance and the California Transportation Commission. They also approved using the services of Weber Ghio and Associates and Dokken Engineering to manage construction.

Councilman Jim Swift abstained, due to a conflict of interest with a Swift Family Trust owning adjacent property.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.