Where Have We Been?

It's been a long road to get Princeton Avenue improved.  Here's a look back at what has been done to make this project a reality.

• 1991: City beings Preliminary Study of the Princeton Avenue corridor
• 1996: City Council approves the future realignment of Princeton Avenue and directs staff to begin preliminary design
• 1997: City Council approves a preliminary design with both interim and ultimate designs:
  • Featured interim improvements with a 14-foot center median, one lane in each direction, and bike lanes
  • Featured ultimate improvements with a 14-foot center median, two lanes in each direction, bike lanes, and sidewalks
  • Ultimate improvements require 88-foot right-of-way, which requires acquisition of right-of-way from 39 separate private property owners
• 1999: City Council adopts environmental documents for project (View Mitigated Negative Declaration/Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Assessment)

• 2000: City begins acquiring right-of-way and easements on 39 separate properties
• 2008: Design efforts for large retaining walls and drainage improvements begin
• Due to difficulty acquiring the necessary right-of-way, the project is redesigned to the following:
  • One lane in each direction, instead of two
  • 8-foot sidewalk on south side only
  • Painted/Striped median and dual turning lanes, instead of raised median
• 2009: City is awarded $206,323 from the State Bicycle Transportation Account toward the project

• 2010-2016: Right-of-way acquisition efforts continue, but the City has not acquired all land and access rights to construct the project.
• 2010:City successfully competes for $900,000 in federal funds from the Highway Safety Improvement Program from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Because federal funding is now involved, the entire project is "federalized" and triggers additional federal review and oversight.
• 2013: City begins finalizing design for structural retaining walls, expanded stormdrain facilities, and utility improvements.
• Coordination with Caltrans begins for permitting and FHWA requirements.

• Right-of-Way Acquired: City obtains final right-of-way needed to complete the project!
• Environmental Planning: Work with Caltrans Division of Environmental Planning begins, and the Preliminary Environmental Study (PES) determines that additional studies are required for NEPA (federal environmental) Clearance

• Environmental Studies: City produces studies for NEPA Clearance:
  • Natural Environmental Study - Minimal Impacts (February 2018)
  • Historical Resources Evaluation Report (March 2018)
  • Historical Property Survey Report (April 2018)
  • Archaeological Survey Report (April 2018)
• Environmental Clearance: Project obtains a NEPA Clearance/Categorical Exclusion determination (June 2018)
• Construction Drawings: City begins final preparation of construction documents for submittal to Caltrans Office of Permits

• Construction Drawings Submitted: City submits construction plans to Caltrans Office of Permits
• Caltrans Requests Changes: Caltrans requests additional design considerations as follows:
  • Reevaluation of design speeds
  • Horizontal alignment and performance based design approach
  • Geotechnical and structural concerns from roadway widening due to proximity to freeway overpass support pillar
  • Hazardous Waste Analysis
• City Submits Updated Plans to Caltrans: City submits updated plans, including a new retaining wall to protect the freeway overpass support pillar

• Funding Extension: City successfully obtains an extension from the FHWA for the project's $900,000 in federal funding
• Additional Studies Completed: City submits updated geotechnical and structural calculations to Caltrans for approval
• Hazardous Waste Analysis: City obtains field specimens and borings to complete hazardous waste analysis (lead, asbestos, and other metals)
• Caltrans Encroachment Permit Issued: City obtains Caltrans Encroachment Permit on December 10, 2020.

• Temporary Construction Easements Obtained: Following final Caltrans approval of plans, the City secures temporary construction easements from 23 affected property owners needed for grading and construction activities in July 2021.
• Caltrans Right-of-Way Certification Obtained: The City obtains Caltrans Right-of-Way Certification approval in August 2021, confirming that the City has legal and physical possession and right to enter all properties necessary to build the project. .
• Plans and Specifications Completed: City Council approves bid package on October 6, 2021.
• Authorization to Proceed Obtained: The City receives official Authorization to Proceed from both the state and federal governments.
• Project Out to Bid: The City goes out for construction bids on December 1, 2021, with bids due by January 14, 2022.
• Construction Contract Awarded: The City awarded a construction contract to Security Paving on February 16, 2022 to construct the project. Groundbreaking is expected for late spring 2022.