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San Mateo County Times By Amelia Hansen By signing a promise into law, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gave the green light to the Devil's Slide tunnel project Thursday, clearing the
way for Caltrans to begin work on a project that has survived eight years of planning and negotiation. "Hooray!" said County Supervisor Rich Gordon, summing up the feelings of those who have been working on the project
for close to a decade or more. "The real celebration is when the ribbon is cut, but I'll take today's victory." The governor signed Senate Bill 792, which guarantees Caltrans' promise to transfer to California State
Parks a piece of property that includes the stretch of Highway 1 that will be closed when the tunnel is built. The County approved the $275 million project in May, but the Coastal Commission refused to give its final blessing to
the plan until the bill was signed into law; the commission appealed the project in July. Chris Kern, the commission's manager of the north central coast district, confirmed that the commission dropped its appeal of the
project at its meeting in Eureka on Friday morning. The commission also dismissed Coastside resident Oscar Braun's appeal of the plan, concluding that there was no "substantial issue" in his case. "Caltrans
is just very relieved this portion of the process is over," said Jack Gaines, public information officer for Caltrans. "It's going to be a gorgeous project." Caltrans will put out the first construction bids
in the next two or three weeks and will likely break ground after New Year's, Gaines said. The tunnel project consists of twin 4,000-foot tunnels that will connect Pacifica and Montara. The tunnels will replace a
washout-prone, winding section of Highway 1, which has been the site of numerous accidents. The project was approved by voters in 1996 after a huge mudslide closed Highway 1 for five months, and has been
primarily financed through federal emergency funds. Caltrans and County officials acknoledge there will most likely be another lawsuit against the project, but are moving ahead with plans to begin work.
In the meantime, tunnel advocates are celebrating. "It's hard to describe you how feel; there have been so many ups and downs," said Lennie Roberts, legislative advocate for the Committee for
Green Foothills. "In the end, we will have a great outcome -- a safe, permanent tunnel that will be the best environmental solution." Page last updated September 14, 2004 . |
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