The City Council approved the submittal of an application for a Caltrans Planning Grant to prepare a plan line for the Eastside Expressway for the City of Turlock.
The General Plan includes a future expressway that will run from Christoffersen Parkway on the north to the potential new interchange in the southeast area. The northern portion of the proposed expressway would be constructed in the unincorporated area, which is not proposed to be incorporated into the City during the planning period.
The City of Turlock included a map that went with the grant application which shows planned expressway routes including Christoffersen Parkway across north Turlock and potential Verduga Road going south. A proposed expressway connection is what has yet to be defined.
“This is a route that is included in our General Plan Update to serve future development in the Southeast area of City’s planning area,” stated Debbie Whitmore, City of Turlock Deputy Director of Development Services and Planning Manager.
The purpose of the project is to develop a plan line for that portion of the expressway that would travel through the unincorporated area although it will be necessary to include the entire corridor in the planning study.
“There is no defined location at this time,” stated Mike Pitcock, City of Turlock Development Services Director and City Engineer. “The Planning grant will pay for the process of defining the location and recording an "Official Plan Line" that will be used to secure right of way in the future.
The total grant request would be for approximately $225,000. Of that amount, approximately $150,000 would be to cover consultant costs to prepare the plan line study. The remaining $75,000 would be to cover staff time and other hard costs. The city would be required to provide $22,500 in matching funds, which is proposed to be paid using Capital Facility Fees.
The City of Turlock is eligible to apply for CBTP grants for an amount up to $300,000 with a minimum local match of ten percent.
Caltrans provides approximately $3 million for Community-Based Transportation Planning (CBTP) grants to fund coordinated transportation and land use planning that promotes public engagement, livable communities, and a sustainable transportation system.
