Transportation agency proposes road improvement plan
The Transportation Agency for Monterey County is proposing a series of improvement projects to improve safety and traffic flow.
For some long-time residents like Carol Gray and Bonnie Alfriend, local roads have been a headache for more than 20 years.
“I think there needs to be a plan in store because it’s not stopping, it’s getting worse, progressively worse,” said Aflriend.
Gray has family in the area, but sometimes traffic is so bad it’s tough to see one another.
“My family lives in Prunedale and I live in the Carmel Highlands, and we talk to each other on the telephone because the traffic is backed up for miles,” said Gray.
According to the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, it plans to make some major improvements, and with help from the community, it was able to identify four main trouble spots.
“We’re looking at everything, nothing is crossed off the list at this point,” said Theresa Wright with TAMC. “We’re looking at areas where there are maybe roundabouts, areas to add left turn lanes or passing lanes, all sorts of things.”
The Transportation Agency’s report identifies the intersection of State Route 156/Castroville Boulevard as the highest collision location in the entire county. If the investment plan is approved, they’re looking to put upwards of $30 million into fixing that.
Also on that list of major improvements: Highway 68 between Monterey and Salinas, US 101 south of Salinas, and Imjin Parkway in Marina. In total, the agency expects to spend up to $130 million, but voters will make the final decision in November.
“Whether it’s a local or a tourist that’s visiting here, any of the sales tax that gets generated will go towards making those improvements,” said Wright.
As for Carol and Bonnie, these improvements can’t come soon enough.
“I think the residents here are feeling like we’re the ones being left out. We’re paying all the taxes!” said Alfriend.
If the plan is approved, 60% of the tax revenue collected will go back to the county for road maintenance and the other 40% will go to the agency to work on these bigger projects.
