MADERA – Next summer, work is scheduled to begin on a road that will connect the Yosemite High School Area with Highway 41 near Denny’s.
Last week the California Transportation Commission approved $2.7 billion in SB 1 funding for 61 transportation projects in California that are aimed at “increasing safety, decreasing congestion, and moving goods more efficiently throughout the state.”
Through the competitive Local Partnership Program, Madera County was awarded $5 million for the Oakhurst Midtown Connector to build a new, two-lane road connecting State Route 41 with Indian Springs Road in Oakhurst.
The project includes a new bridge, installation of traffic signals, and improvements at multiple intersections. The design for the Oakhurst Midtown Connector project is approximately 50 percent complete with work currently being done on the environmental, permitting and right-of-way phases, says Madera County Public Works Director Ahmad Alkhayyat.
Construction is anticipated to begin in spring/summer 2019, barring any unforeseen delays with the current environmental, permitting and right-of-way work.
“The objective of the Local Partnership Program is to reward local entities who are already making their own extra investments in transportation,” say County officials in a statement released today.
“These matching funds support the efforts of cities and counties with voter-approved or imposed fees or taxes dedicated solely to transportation. Without the benefit of Madera County Measure T match funding, projects such as these would not be eligible to apply for these competitive program funds.
“The Madera County Transportation Authority plays an integral part in securing these funds as the administrator of the ½ cent sales tax Measure T proceeds. The value of Measure T funding is critical to the continued success of projects such as the Oakhurst Midtown Connector.”
The Measure T sales tax measure is in place through 2027 with many more projects on the horizon, say County officials.
