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Willow interchange plan outlined

By Mike Hodgson/Associate Editor

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A car on Highway 101 drives south past the area where a freeway interchange is planned. Caltrans wants to extend Willow to Thompson. / Adobe/Len Wood

An informational meeting on the planned Willow Road extension and Highway 101 interchange held April 9 in Nipomo drew a relatively small crowd to learn about such a major project.

By 7 p.m., little more than two dozen people had signed in at the open-house-style meeting Caltrans held from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Nipomo Community Services District office to explain the project and take public comment on the environmental assessment.

But many who attended were enthusiastic about the plan, although they still expressed some concerns over the project’s impact on nearby traffic and the site’s oak forest.

“It’s a big step, and (tonight’s presentation) is advanced from what we’ve seen in the past,” said Ian Wallace, a resident of Blacklake. “It’s great to see something like this.

“If they can keep to that schedule — and I’m not sure how meaningful that is — I’ll be delighted.”

The proposed schedule calls for construction to begin as early as this year, with completion of the entire project around 2013. But a big issue looming over the plan is funding.

“I wish they’d hurry up and do it,” said NCSD Director Ed Eby. “If they don’t, the money’s going to go someplace else.

“I’ve been pushing for this for two years because I’m afraid the money will go to Prado Road (in San Luis Obispo) to service the Dalidio project,” he said. “But they’ve assured me the money won’t go away.”

At this point, however, San Luis Obispo County only has $10 million of the estimated $32 million needed for the project. That money has come from the State Transportation Improvement Program fund.

County officials are still unsure how they will raise the remaining $22 million, which could end up being even more as construction costs continue to rise while the search for funding drags on.

Dale Ramey, county project manager, said road improvement fees collected by the county have not kept pace with skyrocketing construction costs, primarily due to Nipomo’s 2-percent annual growth cap.

The fees are collected from developers on each building permit, but the final dollar won’t be collected until Nipomo reaches full build-out and the last building permit is issued.

By that time, Nipomo’s arterial roads will be so impacted with traffic they will be at gridlock, according to traffic study projections.

Ramey said other funding options are a community facilities district, where those who benefit the most pay the most, and a parcel tax, which also likely would have to be weighted based on benefit.

“Other options could be an assessment district — or toll roads. But that’s not going to happen,” he added with a laugh. “We’re looking at other communities to see what they do. Maybe somebody’s got a good idea we can incorporate.”

The plan calls for realigning Willow Road slightly to the north at Pomeroy Road, then extending it to Hetrick Avenue, where it will curve north to perpendicularly intersect Highway 101 about halfway between West Tefft Street and Los Berros Road.

A full diamond interchange would be constructed at the freeway, with Willow passing beneath Highway 101 and extending to Thompson Road north of Petit Place.

Caltrans also plans a park-and-ride lot for commuters just southwest of the interchange. That lot, the ramps and the Willow Road extension combined will result in the loss of about 1,000 oak trees.

“I gather that will be mitigated — some will be replanted elsewhere,” Wallace said. “If they do that, I’m perfectly happy. I’m anxious to see this done. Priority 1 is the interchange.”

Eby also wasn’t happy about the loss of oaks, but he noted $1 million could go to the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County to plant oaks near the Dana Adobe.

“Of course, it will probably take 50 to 75 years for them to regrow,” he added. “I guess that’s the best we can hope for. It’s just a pity they couldn’t put the park-and-ride lot someplace other than the middle of the oak forest.”

Herb Kandel, president of the Dana Adobe Nipomo Amigos, said the historical home of Nipomo founder Capt. William G. Dana is just one of many locations being considered for oak plantings.

“We feel it’s a great site, offering the benefits of being on the Pacific flyway, adjacent to habitat for wildlife — it’s right along Nipomo Creek,” Kandel said. “It’s at the urban edge, and it offers educational opportunities.”

John Farhar, county environmental resource specialist, said a new option recently surfaced that would use a hook onramp on the southbound side, which could reduce the number of trees that might have to be removed.

Wallace said he’s not as concerned about the loss of oak trees as the impact to traffic along Willow Road, where he said the realignment starting at Misty Glen will make that intersection even more dangerous than it already is.

“They’re apparently not aware Greg Nester plans a convenience store between Pomeroy and Misty Glen that will have a lot of parking and two entrances onto Willow,” he said. “I see a traffic problem there.”

TO COMMENT ON THE PLAN:

n The environmental assessment for the Willow Road extension and interchange at Highway 101 is available for public review at the Nipomo Library, 918 W. Tefft St.

n Written comments must be submitted to Caltrans by Thursday, April 24, at 50 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, Attn: Yvonne Hoffmann, or by e-mail at Yvonne_Hoffmann@dot.ca.gov.

mhodgson@theadobepress.com