Update on Hwy116/Mirabel Intersection, February 2009

Report from Tom O’Kane, dated 12/09/08 
Deputy Director of Sonoma County Transporation and Public Works
(He sent a follow-up email stating that of course they will not know the effect of the new State budget on all County projects until it is completed.) 

Dear Mr. Naegle—
Supervisor Reilly forwarded your note to Public Works to give you an update on the roadway elements in the Forestville area:

• Hwy 116/Mirabel intersection improvements — according to the 2007 Measure M Strategic Plan, this project is considered Phase I of the Forestville Bypass project — surprisingly enough, the intersection improvement plan is moving along through Caltrans — County staff has met on several occasions this summer & fall w/state personnel to coordinate on a final concept — as you probably know, the state originally had indicated that this would be a signalized intersection, incorporating a number of geometric changes — however, they are favorably considering an alternative design for a round-about — as w/any project that involves Caltrans, there are still an number of hurdles to overcome before this intersection project becomes a reality & we begin the detailed design — I am hopeful that we will receive the go ahead from the state in mid-2009 to proceed to design — once we have this approval from Caltrans, we will be in a better position to give a time frame for construction to begin.
   
• Forestville Bypass — this is a Measure “M” project — the total cost is estimated to be approximately $13.7 million, including the Hwy 116/Maribel intersection improvements — Measure “M” is shown to contribute $2 million — the project statement indicates that the balance will come from other sources — traffic mitigation funds will supplement the funding, but development donations are also anticipated - the staff has discussed w/Caltrans the potential for the state to assume the operations & maintenance of the bypass once it is completed — there are some significant right-of-way requirements that will be imposed if this is the approach that is ultimately taken — the County’s capital budget indicates that the construction phase of the project is still several years away.

It is important to note that the turndown in the economy has a significant impact on the revenues for transportation — sales & gas taxes are down substantially — the state has withheld our funds from various sources & while they will ultimately release them to local jurisdictions, it is uncertain when & how this will occur — this uncertainty plus the declining tax revenues has adversely affected our work program schedule — we will continue w/the Hwy 116/Maribel planning w/Caltrans & hopefully, the revenue picture will change for the better at the time we are ready to bid the work — please let me know if you have any questions. 
— Tom O’Kane