The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has approved an allocation of $64,919,000 in funding for Phase 1 of the State Route 132 West Freeway/Expressway Project in Modesto, which included $21,000,000 of Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) funds and $43,919,000 of State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funds.
The project is designated as a project of regional priority by the Stanislaus Council of Governments (StanCOG) Policy Board. In Phase 1, a two-lane expressway will be constructed with full access control and grade separations at intersections between State Route 99 (SR 99) and North Dakota Avenue in Modesto. Phase 2, slated for completion in 2028, would include the construction of a four-lane freeway from North Dakota Avenue to SR 99, with a partial interchange at North Carpenter Road. The purpose of the project is to improve regional and interregional circulation, relieve traffic congestion along existing State Route 132/Maze Boulevard, and improve operations by creating an ultimate four-lane freeway/expressway on a new alignment that connects State Route 132 with the City of Modesto.
City of Modesto Councilmembers and StanCOG Policy Board Members Bill Zoslocki (former StanCOG Policy Board Chair) and Jenny Kenoyer were on hand to witness the historic allocation of funds by the CTC.
“This project was conceived in 1956, and we are so excited that after 63 years, we are going to break ground on this important project for our region this year,” said Councilmember Bill Zoslocki.
“I have been waiting so long for this project to happen and am looking forward to digging that shovel into the ground,” added Councilmember Jenny Kenoyer.
Requests for Proposals for construction of the project are expected to be released in early July.
The Stanislaus Council of Governments (StanCOG) is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) as designated by the federal government, the Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA) as designated by the State of California, and the Local Transportation Authority (LTA) which administers the local Measure L sales tax dedicated to transportation improvements in the Stanislaus region. StanCOG is a council of city and county governments comprised of the cities of Ceres, Hughson, Modesto, Newman, Oakdale, Patterson, Riverbank, Turlock and Waterford, and Stanislaus County, that was established in 1971 to address regional transportation issues. StanCOG provides the forum that brings local mayors, city council members and county supervisors together to work on regional transportation issues in a setting that promotes the involvement of the public in the planning process for the Stanislaus region.
