County banks on stimulus for J-59 work

Officials are still expecting federal stimulus money to help rebuild J-59, also known as La Grange Road, in western Tuolumne County.

The county anticipates receiving $2.1 million for the project via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. That money, combined with $2 million secured years ago by U.S. Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, would total more than $4 million — enough to not only repave, but actually rebuild the county-maintained road.
   

“We’re optimistic there shouldn’t be any glitches and we should get the money,” Gary Taylor, deputy director of the county Public Works Department, said Wednesday.

What Taylor and other county officials aren’t sure of, however, is when the money’s coming.

Once funding is secured, the project will go out for construction bids for three weeks and then the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors will award a contract. If it gets too late in the fall, and therefore too cold for asphalt work, the project will have to be delayed until spring, officials said.

For the 12.5 miles of the road within Tuolumne County, machines are expected to grind the existing asphalt three to four inches deep, then inject liquid asphalt and pave the road back over. Construction could take up to a month.

“Basically, it’s a good green project because we’re recycling materials and not hauling anything off,” Taylor said.

The county regularly receives complaints about the existing road, which has potholes and some severe cracking, he said.

Don Pedro area resident Julie Doherty drives J-59 every day to her U.S. Postal Service job in Tracy.

“The roadway is sinking so it’s all cracked and big chunks fly up,” she said, adding that her husband’s pickup truck has sustained damage from constantly driving on the road.

Doherty said she e-mailed Tuolumne County officials a few years ago and was told the road was going to be repaved in the spring of 2007. Last week, she sent an e-mail to the County Administrator’s office stating that the road is “deteriorating daily” and needs repair.

Director of Tuolumne County Public Works Peter Rei responded to her by emphasizing that his staff worked as quickly as possible, but they faced hurdles, including a more than two-month environmental review.

In his letter, Rei stated the county received notification on Aug. 7 that the environmental process was complete and they were eligible to submit their formal funding request. He said the county’s request letter was sent the following day.

Rei said the county must receive written confirmation from Caltrans before any money is spent, otherwise, the county won’t get reimbursed. That confirmation is what officials are waiting for.

Public works officials say the rebuilt road aims to be both a great improvement for motorists and require much less county maintenance.

"We agree it’s in horrible shape,” Rei said. “It’s an old road that needs total reconstruction.”