State Authorizes $14.1M For Hwy 152 Improvements Through Gilroy

GILROY, CA -- State officials recently allotted more than $14 million in funding to repave the 7.9-mile stretch of state Highway 152 that runs through Gilroy, city officials said Wednesday.

On June 29, the California Transportation Commission approved a standalone State Highway Operations and Protection Program -- SHOPP -- Project amendment authorizing $14.165 million for the repaving of the roadway from state Highway 101 to three-tenths of a mile west of Santa Teresa Boulevard, Gilroy City Administrator Gabriel Gonzalez said in a news release.

"On sections of Highway 152, including First Street (between Santa Teresa Boulevard and Monterey Street), Monterey Street (between First Street and Leavesley Road) and Leavesley Road (between Monterey Street and Highway 101), the pavement has completely disintegrated and [is] having an economic impact on businesses along First Street," Gonzalez said. "In some places, motorists have to drive on bare gravel and risk damage to their vehicles."

According to Gonzalez, the funding allows Caltrans to begin the design and environmental work required for the project, with the aim being to start construction in 2019.

It's an issue that Gilroy Mayor Roland Velasco and members of the Gilroy City Council consider "extremely important to the quality of life for local residents," Gonzalez said.

Since December 2016, Gonzalez and the mayor have traveled to Caltrans District headquarters in Oakland and to Sacramento to meet with officials and legislators "about the failing condition of the road in an effort to make this project a priority. "

In May, Caltrans authorized $1 million in emergency funds for the areas most in need of immediate repair, Gonzalez said.

Mayor Velasco said he and his fellow city officials "are very happy to have secured funding for this vital project that will improve the quality of life for so many Gilroy residents."

Velasco said they are especially grateful to state Sen. Bill Monning and state Assemblywoman Anna Caballero "for their active support and advocacy for these much-needed road improvements."

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