Amador County – The Amador County Transportation Commission (ACTC) announced yesterday that another community workshop will be held to gather input on the proposed Pine Grove/Highway 88 Corridor Project.
According to a public notice, Caltrans in cooperation with ACTC, is proposing to modify the highway through downtown Pine Grove “in order to reduce congestion, improve operations and enhance safety between the intersections at Climax Road and Tabeau Road.
Speaking at a Town Hall in April, ACTC Program Manager Neil Peacock said the project proposal includes 12 different alternatives for route modifications at a price tag “not to exceed $40 million.” He said the “purpose of this project is three-fold: to improve operations, alleviate congestion and enhance safety.”
All of the proposed alternatives include extensive road widening or the construction of new roads all together through forested, mountainous areas, which would affect existing structures and land parcels.
Caltrans originally determined the need for the project a decade ago based on traffic and safety studies. In subsequent years, Caltrans completed a project study report and acquired federal funding from a variety of sources, including a $356,000 earmark from Congressman Dan Lungren to be used for project planning. In 2008, a cooperative agreement was developed making ACTC the “Implementing Agency” for project management while Caltrans still retains “Lead Agency” status and project oversight.
ACTC and Caltrans are seeking to guide the project along through the concept of “Context Sensitive Solutions,” which, according to Caltrans, are defined in part as a way “to provide for the needs of all highway users in balance with the needs of the local community and the context of the project.”
Representatives from both agencies will lead the workshop with a presentation and project update, including a discussion on alternatives and an opportunity for audience feedback. There will also be an open house which will include “maps, exhibits, graphics, and an opportunity for one-on-one discussions with project representatives.”
The workshop will take place Tuesday, November 16th at Pine Grove Elementary in Pine Grove. The open house begins at 5:30 pm. A formal presentation and public comment period will begin at 6 pm. ACTC will then facilitate a workshop with individuals to discuss the project alternatives and gather ideas and feedback on potential project solutions.
To submit comments to be included in the public record, contact Gail Miller, Senior Environmental Planner for Caltrans at 559-243-8724 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
