Work continues along a mile-long stretch of Bridge Street that is part of a $19.5 million Caltrans roadway rehabilitation project.
The project that got underway earlier this year calls for replacing the old pavement, and reconstructing the roadway to accommodate 12-foot-wide lanes and two 10-foot wide shoulders.
Caltrans also plans to build ADA compliant sidewalks, upgrade the drainage facilities, and construct a new traffic signal at Sioc Street that establishes new left turn lanes.
” At the end of that project, we will have a sidewalk down both sides of that street, which weve never had,” said Colusa City Manager Jessie Cain. ” Its really going to make Bridge Street the entrance of Colusa and change (the city) significantly, which is a plus.
Caltrans began construction of the storm drains on Tuesday, and motorists can continue to expect tight traffic controls along Bridge Street for the duration of the project.
The project also included the replacement of PG&E gas lines and removing the overhead power lines, replacing them with new underground power lines. The City of Colusa is also replacing water lines as part of the overall project.
Once completed, Caltrans will replant city-approved trees along Bridge Street to replace the canopy that was lost for crews to be able to get in and get the work done.
The Caltrans project is currently on schedule, and could be completed as early as October.
” Its moving along pretty well,” Cain said.
Future plans along Highway 20, although not part of the current Caltrans project, will include a reconfiguration of Wescott Road, where a Taco Bell could be placed, along with a large commercial center and another new traffic signal.
The Colusa City Council recently signed a development agreement with Yuba City developer Amarjit Cheema, who plans to construct the new commercial area, which will include an Arco gas station and possibly a Starbucks coffee shop.
That development could be a number of years away, depending on how fast the economy bounces back from the Covid-19 pandemic, officials said.