Bypass Ahead Of Schedule
Sonora, CA — The Highway 108 East Sonora Bypass is about 25 percent complete. Tuolumne County Transportation Council Executive Director Darrin Grossi says, “It appears that they are ahead of schedule.” He added, “At the rate that they are going I would not be surprised if they were open to traffic in the fall of 2013.” Grossi will meet with Caltrans for a detailed update August 29.
The East Sonora bypass is scheduled to open in the summer of 2014. The highway must be built to federal standards which only permit a maximum 6% incline. Grossi did not have the total elevation gain of the new section but noted that it will be 80 feet above the existing road.
The first pillar has already been constructed, and a second pillar is being worked on. According to Grossi all the pillars will need to settle for at least three months. As seen in the photos, dirt is being moved from the hill at Standard Road to where the pillars and abutments are being constructed. Grossi says, “it is my understanding that this is a balanced dirt project.” This means that no fill dirt is being brought in, they are using dirt excavated during the construction process.
MyMotherLode.com will continue to provide information from Caltrans about blasting and traffic delays.
Update: Grossi aslo says, “Funding is lined up for the East and West bound Standard Road bypass.” The project has been submitted to Caltrans who is reviewing the design may start the off ramps as early as the next construction season after this phase II is complete. At this point that would be spring 2015 unless they finish the bypass sooner.
