Caltrans updates planners on SR-67 intersection project

Caltrans expects to have funds approved for the state Route 67/Highland Valley/Dye Road intersection at the end of August, advertise for contract bids within the two months following, award a construction contract in November or December, and start the six-stage intersection improvement project in early 2016.

That was the latest timeline given for the project that is expected to decrease traffic delays by 80 percent, as presented at the Ramona Community Planning Group’s July meeting.

“It will be approximately a one-year construction project,” said Lou Melendez, Caltrans project manager.

The entire project will take about two years, he said, as another year will be needed after construction for such work as creating bioswales.

Planning group chair Jim Piva said he received a call July 2 from Joe Hull, deputy district director of traffic operations in Caltrans’ District 11, telling him the California Transportation Commission will meet Aug. 25 and will then likely dedicate the funds.

The project is estimated to cost $14 million, with Caltrans providing $11 million through its State Highway Operation and Protection Program, and just over $3 million from San Diego County Transportation Impact Fees.

Piva credited Hull for his help in getting the intersection project done this soon.

“We were told in the beginning that nothing would be done until after the year 2035,” Piva said.

According to Piva, six years ago, when he and several other planning group members, including secretary Kristi Mansolf, were serving on the group’s Highway 67 Subcommittee, Hull took them aside and told them step-by-step what needed to be done to get the project accomplished sooner.

“We followed Joe Hull’s example to the T,” said Piva, noting they worked with Caltrans, the county and San Diego Association of Governments.

The design calls for widening state Route 67 from two to four lanes through the intersection, and reconfiguring the intersection to accommodate a wider turn radius for commercial trucks.

Dye and Highland Valley roads will be widened approaching the intersection to allow for the a second left-turn lane and an 8-foot shoulder to accommodate bikes. An equestrian trail will be added on the south side of Dye Road and north side of Highland Valley Road.

Other improvements call for adding push-button pedestrian crossings, upgraded drainage and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant concrete curbs.

Melendez said the first stage of the project will be on the northbound side of Route 67, and work will be done behind K-rails “so you’ll still be able to move through the intersection.”

There will be no closures during the day, he said. Any closures would be in the evenings or on weekends and there will be no detours unless there is an emergency situation, he said.

Stage 2 will involve work on the southern side of Route 67.

The left side of Dye Road and left side of Highland Valley Road will be the focus of Stage 3, according to Melendez, and Stage 4 will involve the right sides of Dye and Highland Valley roads. In Stage 5, crews will cold plane the surface, a pre-treatment that will still allow vehicles to travel over the road.

In the final stage a rubberized hot mix asphalt will be applied, he said.

No trees will be removed, said Melendez, adding, “I think the area is going to look pretty snappy once we get done with these improvements.”

Planner Paul Stykel asked if the monument sign at the corner of Route 67 and Highland Valley Road will be impacted. Melendez said it is in a protected right-of-way and will not be relocated.

Planning group vice chair Scotty Ensign and a resident expressed concerns that the faster flow of traffic could affect drivers trying to turn left onto SR-67 from Mussey Grade Road. Currently, during rush hours, drivers in slow-moving traffic on SR-67 often allow space for Mussey Grade Road drivers to enter the highway.

Piva said the county is aware of the issue.