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Translate this page State Route 76 DEIR/DEIS being released today; public forum on route alternatives moved to Sept. 23Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 Issue 35, Volume 14.
"The decision was made yesterday [Sept. 1] to move the meeting back one week to Sept. 23 to allow the public an extra week to review the document prior to the meeting," explained Phelan. The time frame and location for the forum remains the same, 5 to 8 p.m. at the Bonsall Community Center, 31505 Old River Road. In a prior statement, Phelan said Caltrans would have approximately 20 representatives comprised of engineers, noise and traffic specialists and property agents on hand to field questions from the public. "We are looking for specific detailed input at that meeting," said Phelan. The DEIS/DEIR document is being released today [Sept. 2], said Caltrans public information officer, Hayden Manning. "The document describes the possible impacts of widening SR76 to four lanes and upgrading the SR76/I-15 interchange," said Ann Fox, who is transitioning into Phelan's role of the past few years as SR76 project manager. Caltrans has been working with the Federal Highway Administration and other federal, Advertisement The public has an opportunity to review the DEIS/DEIR in advance by reviewing hard copies of the document at the Fallbrook, Vista and Oceanside libraries and at the Caltrans District Office at 4050 Taylor Street in San Diego. Citizens can also request their own copy of the document on CD at www.keepsandiegomoving.com/SR-76-Corridor/SR76-intro.aspx. CDs can also be requested by phone through the Caltrans Public Information Office at (619) 688-6670. Comments on the DEIS/DEIR and the two route alternatives will be accepted through Nov. 2, 2010. The DEIS/DEIR pertains to the third phase of the SR76 improvement project and is expected to detail the differences between two alignments of the highway – the "Existing" (Northern) and the "South" (Southern). A Fallbrook-based citizen's group known as the 76 Action Committee has collected and submitted over 4,400 signatures in support of the "South" alternative to the project. It is unknown if any such effort has been conducted in favor of the "Existing' alternative. 7 comments
You can view the DEIS/DEIR online as a pdf, without getting a cd or trying to read the document at the library (it's nearly 600 pages). The website for the pdf is http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist11/Env_docs/SR-76easteir.pdf . The document does not discuss emergency routes from any of the suggested routes.
Here is something that has never been mentioned in any story or comments regarding the SR 76 expansion project, the lost revenue Bonsall&Fallbrook will experience. The endless delays and having to go out of the way to get to these communities during construction which could take years will force people to avoid Bonsall&Fallbrook. Also what about deliveries? Local grocery stores might experience delaysmight force these businesses to alter their restocking periods which will make shopping in Bonsall&Fallbrook an unplesant experience. What about emergencies? Some would rather die than be taken to our local hospital, they either go to Tri City or Palomar. Because of this construction, more people will have to rely on air transport which is extremely expensive and not covered on the majority of medical plans. Than fire dangers. This might delay mutual aide assistance from other communities. Than the residents of fallbrook will be forced to use only one roadway to enter and leave town. Remember folks, only three main routes out of town, having two blocked with construction will make Bonsall&Fallbrook not such happy places. Glad I moved when I did.
First, “no build” is not an option. The road needs to be widened. Upon reviewing the DEIR, I can’t see any good reason for the proposed Southern alignment. I’ve read comments in the local papers and online claiming how the Southern alignment will be less disruptive, provide more lanes and allow for emergency evacuation on both sides of the river in conjunction with the existing two-lane CA 76. Upon reading the DEIR, I don’t see any of that being true. Both alignments plan the same number of lanes and cut the same swath. Both begin and end before any major North-South highway can ease the flow of whatever emergency evacuation traffic might be jamming CA 76 … in other words, six or more lanes in the middle isn’t going to make any difference if they all have to squeeze into four at each end. Environmental damage mitigation is budgeted the same for both alignments, even though logic would indicate the one that crosses the river twice and tears up new land as opposed to existing right-of-way would require more mitigation effort and funds. And the capper … the Southern alignment will cost $322 million tax dollars. That’s 63% more than the Northern alignment. The argument against the Northern alignment must all be from NIMBY’s desiring to throw their garbage in someone else’s yard. Not one of them can honestly say they never dreamed having property abutting a state highway that’s been there since before any of them were born could one day be a problem. Public works projects are important to commerce, safety and quality of life. But in this day and age, there has to be more fiscal sanity. CalTrans needs to choose the Northern alignment for the East segment of CA 76.
Finally a voice of reason. Thank you KopaJohn. Citing loss of revenue during construction is like saying "lets not build anything at all". Pure ignorance. The northern route is the best. Arguments about evacuation delays if the Northern route is selected are pure hogwash. Arguments about loosing revenue, loosing Fallbrooks small town feel, BULL. Ray, I'm glad you moved too...now if you would only stay out of Fallbrook's business, we would save a few tree's too.
Coming this Fall: A miniseries set in Bonsall, California.... "North vs. South"
The longer we fight over the northern vs. southern route the more people will die on Hwy. 76. It's a dangerous road and the problem needs to be fixed sooner rather than later. NIMBY is kind of ridiculous here. You buy into a subdivision on a main highway and you expect it not to change?
Anonymous, unfortunately the folks in Sycamore Ranch purchased the property many years after CalTrans planned an expansion of SR76. That was their choice and as a Letter to the Editor writer in the Village News wrote sometime ago their realtor should have informed them of the planned expansion. Maybe they did. If that's the case then they made their own choice. Don't compain about the expansion it was in process when Sycamore Ranch was covered with plastic and planted in strawberries. Don't build you house under the approach to an airport and then complain about the noise. |
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