Updated 8/6 to include Santa Rosa’s plans for Fulton Road repaving
During the height of roadwork season, readers want to know when their pet project will be finished (funded, considered). Here’s an update on four Sonoma County roads.
ETA for Petaluma on ramp
Question: The Northbound onramp at Washington Street is still not done after more than a year, although work on city streets all around it at the new Target center has been done for quite awhile. What’s the hold up? – Robert
Question: Could you please explain why the 101 N. Bound Onramp @E. Washington seems to be going @ a snails pace? There has been no work since May. – Eddie
Answer: Although it doesn’t look like anything is happening at that location, work is continuing and the on ramp is on schedule to open in September, transportation sources say. Work started in early 2012 with utility relocation, and construction has been ongoing since spring 2012. The Washington Street/101 project includes building a new northbound on ramp and making improvements to the off ramp.
Fulton Road’s bumpy ride
Question: The latest construction on Fulton Road has become quite a bumpy ride between Piner and River roads. The problem is that there are limited signs warning of the construction, so drivers are going the speed limit, 40-45 mph. The pavement is broken up in areas with a big difference between the graded and not graded, causing a bump. The problem? The “BUMP” signs are directly (less than 5 feet or so) in front of the bump which you then hit going 40 mph with no warning. At night this is really a hazard ! Can you find out who is handling this construction and if they can place the signs better for these? — Jessica Hampton, Santa Rosa
Answer: It’s a joint project between the city and the county, with Santa Rosa responsible for work from Piner Road to the city limits and the county picking up from there to just south of Highway 101. Tom O’Kane, deputy director of the county’s Transportation and Public Works department, said the county is preparing to repave its portion. County contractors are working this week to replace traffic signal detection loops at the River Road intersection before the asphalt overlay begins.
“We have not received any complaints about the placement of the signs, but I will ask the inspectors to check the conditions and many any changes necessary,” O’Kane said.
The city has no plans to repave that part of Fulton Road, but has two other segments on its radar. Santa Rosa engineer Dave Montague said the Fulton Road Widening project, funded with Measure M tax proceeds, will take care of the portion between Piner Road and Guerneville. It’s scheduled for fiscal year 2017/2018. The portion between Guerneville Road and Occidental Road is part of the city’s Capital Improvement Program, but no construction date has been set.
Colgan Avenue, one of Santa Rosa’s worst roads
Question: When is COLGAN AVE. going to be paved???? — John
Answer: Colgan Avenue will be reconstructed from Petaluma Hill Road to Santa Rosa Avenue. The project is funded for design and will move to the construction phase as funding becomes available. Construction is likely to be at least two years out. — Lori Urbanek, interim supervising engineer, Santa Rosa Transportation and Public Works Department
Sebastopol Road, pothole central
Question: Another Roseland high-use corridor is Sebastopol Road between Dutton Ave. and Olive St. which passes under Hwy 12. Olive was recently resurfaced, which was severely needed. But the stretch crossing the new RR tracks is horrid. Not safe for anyone. Is this short 1/4 mile stretch in any future plans to be repaved?
Answer: Rehabilitation of Sebastopol Road between Dutton and Olive is not currently funded in the 5-year Capital Improvement Program. However, there is a high priority sewer and water project that will also reconstruct a portion of roadway on the southerly side of Sebastopol from Dutton to Roberts (about 700’). Estimated construction start date is Spring 2014. — Lori Urbanek, interim supervising engineer, Santa Rosa Transportation and Public Works Department
