Green light for 92, ECR interchange: State allocates previously delayed funds, but neighbors fear construction impacts

The city of San Mateo and Caltrans have long planned the $22 million interchange and with the project “shovel ready,” the CTC was able to advance State Transportation Improvement Program, or STIP, funds sooner than expected.

The local transportation improvement was slated to be one of many throughout California that would be affected by delays or forced to be cut from the state budget since a crisis level drop in gas tax revenue.

San Mateo’s project was one of just four throughout California to have funds advanced earlier than expected since the CTC announced it must delete $754 million in projects and delay another $755 million in allocations.

The local interchange project will provide safety as well as operational benefits by reconfiguring the on- and off-ramps. The current short weaving distance between cars entering and exiting State Route 92 is problematic and traffic from those trying to merge onto El Camino Real frequently backs onto the westbound highway blocking one of just two lanes. The improvements also entail pedestrian as well as bicyclist improvements along El Camino Real and the addition of two new traffic lights.

“The 92 interchange has seen such an increase in traffic over the last few years with a booming economy and an increase in the number of cars on the road. The changes that are planned have been planned for literally decades and they primarily will serve safety,” said Mayor Joe Goethals. “It’s not the increase in capacity some of us would like to see, but it’s a start.”

The interchange is often affected by congestion overflow from the larger intersection at Highway 101 and State Route 92’s San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, which is located just east and serves as a main juncture for East Bay commuters. Improvements to that intersection will likely have to wait, since previously allocated STIP funding for studies was cut earlier this year.

In the meantime, Caltrans, which is coordinating the city-sponsored project, has put the State Route 92/El Camino Real improvement out to bid and the 18-month construction period is expected to commence next year, said San Mateo’s Public Works Director Brad Underwood.

“We were very pleased that the state came through with the STIP funds for this project. It’s a very needed project not only for San Mateo, but just in general for traffic flow through the Peninsula,” Underwood said.

Neighbor concerns

But while Caltrans and San Mateo officials are pleased funding for the local improvement has aligned, neighbors of the interchange hope the state and city can coordinate to ensure their homes will be protected.

The project includes moving some of the ramps closer to existing homes, particularly in the northeast quadrant affecting residences along Ivy Street. A years-old environmental impact report for the project isn’t requiring Caltrans to protect these neighbors with a sound wall or replace any of the mature oak trees that will be removed as part of the project, said resident Dino Antoniazzi.

Having lived on Ivy Street for 25 years, Antoniazzi said he and the 15 to 20 residents near the project are concerned their property values and quality of life will be diminished.

“We feel there’s going to be an increase in emissions, increase in noise and headlights. Everything that’s going to be brought to our little quiet neighborhood,” Antoniazzi said. “We’re not against the project, we just want our neighborhood to be left the same or better when they leave.”

He thanked the city officials who’ve stepped up to represent neighbors’ concerns, but acknowledged the city may not have much leverage in negotiating with Caltrans to fund further improvements.

Caltrans has agreed to conduct preliminary cost estimates for constructing a new sound wall and funding landscape improvements, after which officials will meet with city staff to discuss next steps, Underwood said.

However, since the improvements aren’t required by the environmental impact report and the state agency currently has a ban on landscaping due to the drought, the city could be on the hook for these new expenses.

Caltrans Spokeswoman Gidget Navarro said while the agency “always works with local government agencies to address community concerns related to traffic issues,” funding for landscaping or the additional sound wall must come from the city.

Underwood noted it could be challenging to negotiate for the state to help pay. Still, he and Goethals emphasized the city would continue to advocate for neighbors of the interchange who spoke out during recent council meetings.

Funding shuffle

Prior to the CTC’s October vote, the city was looking to take out a loan from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority while its $5 million in STIP was delayed.

About $71.5 million from the STIP recently became available due to updated right-of-way costs, prompting officials to look for shovel-ready projects like San Mateo’s interchange, said CTC Deputy Director Mitch Weiss.

But delays for other improvements, such as the Highway 101 and State Route 92 interchange, will likely remain until legislators resolve the multi-million dollar transportation-funding deficit — a crisis that arose from a combination of the state altering how it collects gas tax revenue paired with an increasing number of electric vehicle owners ditching the pump.

“While there may be benefits to the economy of lower gas prices, the lower gas tax revenue certainly has a negative impact in the construction projects we could fund to build and maintain our road system,” Weiss said.

samantha@smdailyjournal.com

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