Thursday, 19 August 2010 06:20

Sutter Creek Reallocates $325K to align Prospect-Bowers Drives

slide3-sutter_creek_reallocates_325k_to_align_prospect-bowers_drives.pngAmador County – Sutter Creek City Council joined most of the Amador County Transportation Commission members Monday in approving the reallocation of $325,000 toward the realignment of Prospect Drive in Sutter Creek. The funds were left over from the Mission Drive extension project, now complete in Jackson. The realignment of Prospect Drive will join it with Bowers Drive at a T-intersection on Ridge Road. ACTC Executive Director Charles Field said the project would help traffic in-flow into the new Walgreens store at Ridge and 49, with road access from Bowers Drive. Field said the reallocation of funds would allow ACTC the matching funds to qualify for a grant of $1.7 million for construction of the Sutter Creek project, up from $1.2 million. Councilman Pat Crosby asked if the project would allow left turn lanes into Bowers and Prospect. Field confirmed that it would. He said the intersection would not be “signalized” with electric lights, but the conduits for them will go in place, in this, the 2nd phase of the project. He said signals must meet Caltrans “warrants,” and a list from a “guide book” that “justifies signals on a state highway.” Lights would go in with Phase 3, but “would be unhooked from signals until Caltrans gives us the green light,” Field said, asking pardon for his pun. Mayor Pro Tempore said “it sounds like a great project for us, and it is one example where cities and the county share revenue for everybody’s benefit.” The funds come through the Regional Traffic Mitigation Program. Field said Wednesday that the Fee program came together quickly and has stood up well for ACTC members. A recent amendment created a new 3-tiered schedule of rates for different types of restaurants. He said a new nexus study was not needed because engineering existed for the change. Plymouth City Council criticized the 3-tiered plan because it gave a preference for lower rates to Carl’s Junior. Field said the tiers have obvious differences in the car trips they create, and Plymouth later approved it. Field said the Amador County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday gave another show of support for the regional fee program when they unanimously voted to decline a request to reduce traffic mitigation fees for Big 5 Sporting Goods in Martell. Big 5 is being built in 5 store fronts in Martell, including the former locations of Mountain Mike’s Pizza, BeginAgains, AAA Insurance, and Verizon Wireless. Field said ultimately, a new traffic impact nexus study will be needed, for a new, streamlined fee schedule. ACTC members want it simpler, such as commercial and residential categories, to help curb requests for rate adjustments and exemptions. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.