LANDMARK PROJECT TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION ON HIGHWAY 101 GETS UNDERWAY
MONTEREY COUNTY – Caltrans and the Transportation Agency for Monterey County announced today that construction has begun on the U. S. Highway 101 Prunedale Improvement Project (PIP), the largest transportation project in Monterey County since the early 1960s.
“This is an historic project that will make Highway 101 significantly safer, reduce congestion, and improve access to local businesses,” said Acting Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.
Currently, Highway 101 within the project area is a four-lane expressway with several at-grade intersections. The combination of high speed traffic on the highway and vehicles trying to enter or exit the at-grade intersections causes congestion and impacts safety.
The landmark $209 million project will upgrade a 13-mile segment (from Russell/Espinoza Road to just north of Echo Valley Road) of Highway 101 to a four-lane freeway, construct two new interchanges, a new undercrossing and a new overcrossing, modify an existing interchange, make various local road improvements, and install a concrete median barrier at various locations throughout the project limits. Collectively, these improvements will reduce congestion for 60,000 to 80,000 vehicles daily and provide safer access for motorists.
“This project is an investment in safety and an investment in our communities,” said Lou Calcagno, Monterey County Supervisor and member of the Transportation Agency for Monterey County Board of Directors. “It the result of years of hard work by a dedicated group of local citizens; I’m so pleased to see it underway and now look forward to its completion in 2014.”
Calcagno was joined at the event by Assembly members Luis Alejo and Bill Monning, California Transportation Commissioner Carl Guardino, Salinas City Council Members Kimbley Craig and Sergio Sanchez, Caltrans’ Acting Director Malcolm Dougherty, John Franich, Vice President of Granite Construction, Vee Thomas of the Prunedale Mothers Group, and Dell Matt from the Highway 101 Bypass Committee.
The project is expected to be completed in late 2014. For more information, please call the toll-free project hotline at (877) 448-6771 or visit:http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/prunedale/prunepip/index.htm
More photos of the PIP Groundbreaking Ceremony are available on our PIP Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prunedale-Improvement-Project/128188623918111
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