CalTrans announces they’ll spend almost $30 million in repairs on Highway 99 between Paige and Prosperity Avenues, install a roundabout on Highway 190 west of Porterville
SACRAMENTO – Last week the California Transportation Commission distributed over $500 million dollars for infrastructure projects throughout the state. About $40 million will be spent on projects in the Valley.
The California Transportation Commission announced on March 18 that they’ll spend $587 million on roads. Most of the funding will come from Senate Bill 1, the Road repair and Accountability Act of 2017. In Tulare County, Sacramento plans to spend $29.8 million on a three mile roadway rehab project between Paige Avenue and the Prosperity Avenue overcrossing on Highway 99 in Tulare.
This project will rehabilitate the roadway and drainage systems, upgrade lighting, replace signage, and improve the Transportation Management System. It will also allow for the enhancement of highway worker safety.
CalTrans also plans to spend $4.4 million on a roundabout four miles west of the city of Porterville. Christian Lukens, the public information officer for CalTrans District 6, explained the idea behind a roundabout is to reduce the severity of car accidents. The speed at which cars approach a roundabout as opposed to an intersection is much different. It provides the opportunity for turning the more severe accidents into those with just minor damages. Roundabouts also eliminate the 90 degree turns providing for a safer intersection.
Other local areas that are receiving help are, $4.8 million to another Roundabout Construction Project in Kings County near Kettleman City. $1.3 million to a Roadway Maintenance Project for the removal and replacement of hot mix asphalt on State Route 41 in Fresno County.
These projects are intended to start in the Spring of 2024.
