Frequently Asked Questions
Who is building the project? How is it being paid for?
The Council of Governments is responsible for design and construction of the road. Pavex Construction is under contract with the Council of Governments to build the project. The project is funded by Measure A sales tax funds, state and federal transportation funds, and traffic impact fees collected by the City of Hollister and San Benito County.
When will the project be opened to traffic?
Construction will be complete by Septermber 2008, and the road will open shortly thereafter.
How high are the sound walls? Will the sound walls be decorative?
They are 14’ high and will be constructed of decorative masonry blocks.
When will the sound walls be built?
Pavex Construction has already started work on the sound walls. They will be built before the road is constructed, to minimize the impacts of noise and dust to nearby residents.
Are there signals at all the intersections?
Yes. There are six signalized intersections: Sunnyslope Road, East Park Street, Hillcrest Road, Meridian Street, Santa Ana Road, and San Felipe Road. The signals will have pedestrian push-buttons with crosswalks, and will be accessible to people with disabilities.
Where is East Park Street?
East Park Street is a new street that is being constructed as part of the project. It will connect the Bypass to McCray Street.
How many lanes is the Bypass?
The road is six lanes from Sunnyslope Road to East Park Street; after that, there will be four lanes (two lanes in each direction) from East Park Street to San Felipe Road.
What is the speed limit going to be?
The speed limit will be 35 miles per hour.
Will there be a lot of trucks on the Bypass?
The road should not generate any more truck traffic through Hollister than already exists. The bypass will pull traffic from San Benito Street and McCray streets, relieving congestion in those areas. The only anticipated truck traffic is local traffic serving the area.
What is happening to McCray Street?
McCray Street will become a cul-de-sac at the South end, near the Chevron gas station. There will be no through traffic to Sunnyslope or Tres Pinos Roads. Instead, drivers will use East Park Street to connect to the Bypass.
Are there bike lanes on the Bypass?
Yes. There will be a striped bike lane along the entire length of the road.
Are there any overpasses on the Bypass?
No. The entire road will be “at grade”, which means at the same level as the other roads in town. There are no overpasses, only signalized intersections.
What will happen to San Benito Street once this road is complete?
Once the Bypass is constructed, the Council of Governments will work with Caltrans to transfer the Bypass to the State, making it a new portion of Highway 25. Caltrans would then relinquish San Benito Street and Tres Pinos Road to the City of Hollister.
I am concerned about dust/noise/other impacts of construction. Who should I contact?
Please contact Mary Dinkuhn, Project Manager for the Council of Governments. She can be reached at 637-7665 or by email: mary@sanbenitocog.org