Ask TBC: What’s the latest on the 7th Standard overpass?
| Sunday, Jul 12 2009 12:00 PM
Last Updated Sunday, Jul 12 2009 12:00 PM
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Q: When is the estimated completion date for the overpass on Merle Haggard Drive (7th Standard Road) at Highway 99?
— Richelle Sempel
A: It should be completed by November, according to staffers in the Kern County Roads Department.
By the way, earlier this month a nearly $50 million widening of 7th Standard Road broke ground. It will transform 7th Standard from a two-lane route into a four-lane expressway between Coffee Road and Zachary Avenue. The estimated completion date for that is summer 2010.
Q: Can anyone give an update on the Bass Pro Shop that was going to be built? I have not heard anything on whether it is still planned or has it been put on hold?
— Blaine Lyons
A: When we checked on the project in March, Bass spokesman Larry L. Whiteley said he didn’t know when the store would be built but definitely not in 2009. Nothing’s changed, he said this past week.
The early-2009 opening didn’t pan out because the bad economy slowed things down for everyone involved.
Q: I work in the Truxtun/Commercial Way/Office Park area. The signal light at Commercial and Truxtun is a nightmare. There is so much traffic and so many businesses, with more being built and only one way to exit westbound.
The westbound traffic backs up forever during peak hours and with only one left turn lane. It can take up to four signal lights to finally head westbound on Truxtun from Commercial.
If you are turning eastbound you may have a couple less signals, if you can get in line.
... Does the city have any plan at all to help this congestion? Maybe another street from Commerce to Truxtun (even if it is only an eastbound exit)?
— Michelle Claxto
A: There are no further projects planned for Truxtun extension, said city traffic engineer Ryan Starbuck.
A couple years ago the city added the right-turn deceleration lanes for eastbound traffic to keep cars flowing there. There isn’t enough right-of-way for the city to expand Truxtun from four to six lanes, he said.
Instead, the city is constructing the Westside Parkway just north of the river that will take some of the traffic off Truxtun extension, Starbuck said.
The first phase of the Westside Parkway, from Mohawk Street to Allen Road, is scheduled to be completed in mid-2012.
Ask The Californian appears on Mondays. Submit questions to asktbc@ bakersfield.com or to The Bakersfield Californian, c/o Christine Bedell, P.O. Bin 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302.
