BOS authorizes contract for Willows work

By Joe Naiman
The Alpine Sun

     ALPINE — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 Nov. 15 to authorize the advertisement for bid and subsequent award of a construction contract for work to improve Willows Road and Viejas Grade Road.
     The low responsible bidder will construct a left turn pocket at the intersection of Willows Road and Viejas Grade Road and shoulder improvements along Willows Road west of Viejas Grade Road. Guard rails will be installed along Willows Road near the East Willows interchange with Interstate 8, and the work will also include planting trees along a portion of Willows Road to form a sight barrier for westbound motorists.
     Prior to the completion of the Viejas casino complex, Willows Road had an average daily traffic volume of about 3,000 vehicles. In addition to the Indian reservation, the road also serves farms and residents in Alpine. The casino traffic has increased the average daily volume to approximately 17,000 vehicles, and nighttime volumes and accident rates have also increased.
     The shoulder improvements will consist of reconstruction, grading, and clearing, which will provide an additional recovery area for motorists as well as a well-maintained protective area for pedestrians and bicyclists. The sight barrier is expected to reduce nighttime confusion about the road’s alignment for westbound motorists who currently observe headlights from I-8.
     In December 2005 the supervisors approved an agreement with the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, which will provide $1.2 million for the project. The construction cost estimate, including contingency, is $810,570. The remaining $389,250 will be used toward project development and construction management costs.
     The funding agreement also allowed the county to proceed with the design phase, and the project is now ready for bid. The bidding period will be followed by proposal review, negotiations and pre-construction meetings. Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2007 and be completed by May 2007.

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