State approves funding for Hwy. 101 widening

The widening of Highway 101 through the heart of Santa Rosa will begin this spring, following today?s approval of emergency funding by the California Transportation Commission.

The construction start was thrown into jeopardy last month when cost estimates for the two-mile project came in 36 percent over budget.

Caltrans engineers had estimated that widening the freeway between Highway 12 and Steele Lane would cost $52.4 million, but the lowest bid came in at $71.4 million.

In a 7-1 vote, the transportation commission agreed to provide the funding needed to keep the widening project on schedule.

Widening the elevated freeway will dovetail with construction this spring of a new overpass at Steele Lane.

The two projects are moving ahead after more than a decade of planning and efforts to win local and state funding.

? Kerry Benefield