Future is dismal for new off-ramp, bright for updated overpass
By Christy Scott
The Alpine Sun
ALPINE — Fans of getting a new off-ramp from Alpine Boulevard to I-8 may be in for a disappointment, according to report and discussion on local road plans at the Oct. 27 meeting of the Alpine Planning Group.
The good news, however, is that the Tavern Road overpass will soon undergo some much-needed safety reconstruction.
Price also said that a recent meeting with county staff, aired concerns about the Alpine Boulevard off-ramp, the idea that has been favored among residents and planning group members.
“It doesn’t look like that off-ramp has a very good chance of being built,” Price said. “The county is trying to look at other ways to ease traffic and move people around in the community.”
The meeting with Dianne Jacob that Price referenced, was one in a series of meetings to work toward implementing the APG's circulation priority list, which was topped by the new off-ramp. In attendance at the meeting were several planning group members and residents, as well as representatives from the county public works department and the California Department of Transportation, (Caltrans).
According to Price, the off-ramp has been discussed since before he moved to Alpine nearly 20 years ago. “At the recent meeting with Dianne, we were discussing the major hurdles that exist that may prevent Alpine from getting the off-ramp.
“We were told by the representative of Caltrans that it is very difficult to get federal approval on the construction of new off-ramps if they require exceptions. In other words, if the off-ramp design and layout was not typical,” Price said.
According to county staff, the main reason for the problem is the close proximity of I-8 to Alpine Boulevard, Price said. Because it is so close it would require a completely different type of ramp, perhaps a corkscrew design. It would definitely require a realignment of Alpine Boulevard and would likely take out private property including, most likely, a piece of the Albertson's property.
“Because of the exceptions which would be required, we were told that it was highly unlikely that we would get federal approval for the off-ramp,” Price said.
Price said that the group is not supporting any particular option at this point.
“The off-ramp is not off the table, but it could end up being impractical,” Price said. “We are still pushing for it, and it remains the number one priority for this planning group.”
A representative from Caltrans was on hand at the meeting to tell the board and the community about future construction on the Tavern road off-ramp and overpass.
After a traffic accident study done in late 2003, Caltrans, noted a concentration of accidents on the eastbound Tavern Road ramps.
“We found the eastbound Tavern Road off-ramp to be a particular accident hot spot,” said Caltrans project manager Richard Estrada.
Caltrans then conducted a signal warrant study and found that the intersection warranted a traffic light.
The overhaul of the Tavern interchange will include the widening of the eastbound off-ramp to two lanes, the re-striping of the bridge to accommodate a left turn pocket, and a designated pedestrian walkway on one side of the bridge.
Currently, on any given day, the single-lane, striped off-ramp from Interstate 8 is used as two lanes, with drivers turning right onto Tavern, pulling over on to the shoulder to allow others to pass on the left. The turn lane on the bridge would allow through traffic to go north to Victoria, past freeway-bound drivers.
Caltrans is currently in the process of creating a project report that will show the cost of the project, as well as a solid timeframe for completion. According to Estrada, Caltrans expects to finalize the project report in the next month, will have finalized design by next summer, and should begin construction in the fall.
Currently, Estrada said, the project is expected to cost just less than $900,000. However, he expects that before construction begins it will be billed at more than $1 million. The project is funded through a state collision reduction program.
“My concern is with all the development that is going up in Alpine…All those new people are going to be using the Tavern off-ramp,” said resident Betty McLeod. “In 20 years or so, Is this going to be adequate? I just don’t think so.”
“We are not required to build to ease traffic,” Estrada said. “We’re just trying to address the accidents here.”
According to Estrada, Caltrans signal projects have a 15-year expected life.
A couple of residents at the meeting voiced concerns over a proposed GP2020 circulation element road connecting Rocrest Road and Lilac Lane. This option, which would link Rocrest, south to Lilac, is a fairly new option on the map, having been put there during the Aug. 25 APG meeting.
At a September review of the GP 2020 road networks the option was disputed by residents and board members who thought that it should be pulled for further discussion. Many said that they did not want this connection.
Price explained that the proposals are only options to deal with traffic in Alpine. “There have been many ideas brought forward by county and in sub-committee,” he said. “All it is at this point is discussion.”
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Christy Scott
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