The now infamous Monte Vista “Bump” is getting fixed and closing the railroad crossing at Monte Vista Avenue once again.
A few months after Union Pacific Railroad replaced railroad tracks and concrete panels at the Monte Vista Avenue railroad crossing in August, a new construction project will close the crossing, again.
The road closure to the busiest shopping center in Turlock will also come at the busiest shopping time of the year, as it takes place just after the Thanksgiving Day holiday.
The City of Turlock has contracted out George Reed Inc, of Modesto, to smooth out the bump at the Monte Vista Avenue railroad crossing that was left behind by the initial project. The road construction work will cost $71,530 and will come out of the gas tax reserves.
The project stems from what the City determined to be misinformation from the Union Pacific Railroad. In August, UPR needed three days to finish a project that involved raising the train tracks at Monte Vista Avenue; this saw the intersection of Golden State Boulevard and Monte Vista Avenue closed during that time. While initial information detailed that the tracks would be raised by 1 inch, the reality was that the tracks were raised up to 3 inches in certain spots.
After complaints from constituents, the City Council not only brought up the matter but also expedited the process to make sure the transition was fixed as soon as possible.
The process will begin next week and improve the transition over the railroad tracks for motorists. Detours have been designated for those going west on Monte Vista. The detour has westbound Monte Vista traffic going south on Golden State, west on Tuolumne Road, and north on Countryside Drive. Highway 99 motorists are encouraged to use the Taylor Road and Fulkerth Road exits. Despite the detours, there will still be access to the shopping areas.
Work will begin on the Monte Vista bump on Monday, Nov. 28, and continue through Friday, Dec. 2.
