NEWLY COMPLETED CARPOOL LANES ON U.S. ROUTE 101 REDUCE CONGESTION IN SONOMA COUNTY

Today's Date:          August 31, 2012

District:                     4 - Oakland

Contact:                    Adam Priest

Phone:                      (510) 286-5543

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWLY COMPLETED CARPOOL LANES ON U.S. ROUTE 101

REDUCE CONGESTION IN SONOMA COUNTY

ROHNERT PARK – Caltrans and the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) today celebrated the addition of carpool lanes on the U.S. Route 101 Wilfred interchange project in Rohnert Park and the U.S. Route 101 Central project in Petaluma and Cotati.

“With more than 20 miles of continuous carpool lanes stretching from Petaluma to Windsor, commuters who use car pools and buses will benefit from reduced travel times,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “This brings us closer to our goal of less congestion, improved air quality, and increased safety along U.S. Route 101.”

The $53 million project added two new carpool lanes, one northbound and one southbound. Both new lanes connect to existing carpool lanes. The project also features improved on and off-ramps, and a new Golf Course Drive undercrossing that connects the western and eastern sides of Rohnert Park. The project was financed in part by $29 million in Proposition 1B bond funds.

The $82 million Central project features new commuter lanes on U.S. Route 101 from Rohnert Park Expressway to Old Redwood Highway in Petaluma, and was financed with almost $34 million in Proposition 1B funds.

“Together, we have improved mobility on U.S. Route 101 in Sonoma County,” said Dan McElhinney, Caltrans District 4 Chief Deputy Director. “In addition to thanking our partners at the Sonoma County Transportation Authority and the cities of Petaluma, Cotati, and Rohnert Park, we also would like to thank motorists for their support during construction.”

"After decades of planning and three years of construction, this project has finally removed a major bottleneck from U.S. Route 101,” said Jake Mackenzie, Rohnert Park mayor. “Citizens and businesses will see significant relief."

In 2006, California voters approved Proposition 1B, investing $19.9 billion in roads, bridges, ports and transit. In total, about $14 billion in Proposition 1B funds have been allocated.

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