1861 - Andres Pico and partners granted state franchise to build toll road and cut 50-foot-deep cleft through (Newhall) Pass; they failed; Beale later succeeded [story]
Letter from Victor Lindenheim, Executive Director, Golden State Gateway Coalition (Valencia):
You may have heard or read about Metro’s proposal to expedite construction of new Interstate 5 carpool lanes by offering optional access to driver-only vehicles willing to pay a toll to use those lanes to save time. Many of us think that it is a good idea, but want to know more. You will have two such opportunities this week. I urge to consider coming out to either of the two scheduled public meetings:
* 6 p.m., Tuesday, February 26, at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex, 20880 Centre Pointe Parkway
* 6 p.m., Thursday, February 28, at Rancho Pico Junior High School, 26520 Valencia Boulevard.
The benefits of the project are huge: a faster commute, expedited goods movement, economic development opportunities, and cleaner air, to name a few. And if we do it sooner, rather than later, the cost of the project is reduced and the availability of funding is assured.
In my view, the choice is this: we can have this much-needed additional roadway capacity ready-to-use by 2019 by supporting the tolling option or we can wait and build the project if and when funding becomes available, if ever. 2040 is the current estimated completion date for the alternate approach.
See the project information below and decide for yourself.
A Proposal to Improve Interstate 5 in the Santa Clarita Valley Now
New carpool lanes are planned, both northbound and southbound, to be added to Interstate 5 through the Santa Clarita Valley.
However, funding is not available to build the new lanes now. The new lanes could be built piecemeal, if and when funding becomes available. Estimated completion: 2040.
Metro is seeking community input on an alternative that could see the project started by 2015 and completed by 2019.
Vehicles with 3 or more occupants would ride for free.
Buses, vanpools and motorcycles would ride for free.
Vehicles with 2 or more occupants would ride for free…except during peak hours.
Single occupant vehicles would continue to ride in the general purpose lanes for free, but can choose to use the new carpool lanes and save time by paying a toll.
Measure R funds (county sales tax revenue) will cover 75% the cost of building the new lanes – – approximately $310 million. The tolls generated over the next 35 years are projected to cover an estimated $100 million funding shortfall to build the carpool lanes. Any excess revenues must, by law, be returned to the I-5 corridor. Any shortfall will be covered by Metro.
Metro is proposing to create a partnership with a private sector entity to complete design on the I-5 project, build it, operate it and maintain it for a 35 year period.
The I-5 project would be bundled with five other ready-to-build projects in Los Angeles County, including a project to resurface the existing lanes from the I-5/SR 14 Interchange to Parker Road in Castaic, and offered to qualified investor/builders.
In a bidding process of qualified investor/builders, a single entity would be selected to complete all six of the projects. Current estimated investment required is $700 million.
$500 million of the investment would pay for the two projects of direct benefit to the Santa Clarita Valley: building the I-5 carpool lanes and the roadway resurfacing of all existing I-5 lanes in the project area.
The I-5 capacity enhancement and roadway resurfacing projects could be completed, and available to motorists by 2019, rather than waiting until 2040.
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So far on the Harbor Freeway 110 the addition of the toll lanes has not helped improve traffic speeds or congestion. If anything traffic is now slower than before the toll lanes were implemented. The jury is still out on the San Bernardino Freeway 10. But before spending half a billion dollars for the Santa Clarita section of the 5. Maybe some data needs to be reviewed as to just how much of an improvement toll lanes help with traffic congestion. Also charging for what we have already paid for is just not right.
1861 - Andres Pico and partners granted state franchise to build toll road and cut 50-foot-deep cleft through (Newhall) Pass; they failed; Beale later succeeded [story]
The California Interscholastic Federation has renewed a multi-year agreement with GoFan as the official digital ticketing partner to provide touchless, digital ticketing solutions to high schools and state-wide post season play across California.
The County of Los Angeles announced Thursday that it has distributed 23 million units of free PPE through its joint effort with PPE Unite to protect 433,000 employees at small businesses across the County.
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The College of the Canyons Theatre Department will present “The Addams Family Quarantined Concert Version,” a live virtual musical production based on the eponymous beloved television series on May 7-9.
Santa Clarita Valley public junior high and high school students will remain in the blended learning model — two days a week of in-person instruction — for the remainder of the year, William S. Hart Union High School District officials announced Wednesday night.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed Thursday 19 new deaths and 414 new cases of COVID-19, with 27,744 total cases in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials on Wednesday confirmed 21 new deaths and 287 new cases of COVID-19 countywide, with Santa Clarita cases totaling 27,744.
During their first in-person meeting of the year, William S. Hart Union High School District governing board members are planning to hear public comments under a new format Wednesday, as well as discuss a potential decrease to the number of units seniors need to graduate in light of COVID-19.
For the second time since his arrest, Michelle Dorsey’s estranged husband — who is accused of having killed his wife in her Saugus home last month — had a continuation of his arraignment.
After a year of virtual learning, the Santa Clarita Youth Orchestra's spring semester will host its grand finale, a virtual concert fundraiser, to help recoup losses during the pandemic.
The California Highway Patrol is reminding cyclists and motorists to share the road and remember traffic safety saves lives during this years National Bicycle Safety month all May.
The College of the Canyons Theatre Department announced a live virtual production of "The Addams Family Quarantined Concert Version", based on the eponymous television series.
The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station is once again hosting their monthly free catalytic converter etching event, adding more dates and locations to have a converter etched.
The annual Bike to Work challenge is once again rolling into town for a week long going green challenge, starting next week. The challenge will begin Monday May 10 and go through Friday May 14.
The William S Hart Education Foundation announced events will be returning this year and into 2022, starting with their new Cars under the Stars event.
The annual State of the County will be held in-person at Six Flags Magic Mountain, the Santa Clarita Chamber of Commerce announced Wednesday. The SCV Chamber and Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office have been working to create an event to celebrate the reopening of our economy which will include remarks by the Supervisor and full access to rides at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
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3 Comments
I thought they were starting on the carpool lanes from Calgrove to the 5-14 split?
You should attend the meeting.
So far on the Harbor Freeway 110 the addition of the toll lanes has not helped improve traffic speeds or congestion. If anything traffic is now slower than before the toll lanes were implemented. The jury is still out on the San Bernardino Freeway 10. But before spending half a billion dollars for the Santa Clarita section of the 5. Maybe some data needs to be reviewed as to just how much of an improvement toll lanes help with traffic congestion. Also charging for what we have already paid for is just not right.