Highway 99 Improvements Underway
Voters gave the green light last November to fund proposition I-b
CW31 - cbs13.com
Mar 16, 2007 3:32 pm US/Pacific

(CBS13) SACRAMENTO It is official. Highway 99 as we know it will be no more. By 2012 the highway touted as the backbone of the central valley will consists of not four, but six lanes. The voters approved it, and now Caltrans will expand it.

"Now the burden is on us to deliver the promise and we feel we are up to the task to tackle it as quickly as we can."

Four counties, including Sacramento and Sutter gets a fifth of the five billion in transpiration funding. Most of it is going to the often congested routes along the central valley. In Stockton $282 million will hit the pavement along a 12 mile stretch of 99 between state route 120 and route 4.

Merced County gets $248 million. Two sections of the expressway will transform to a full freeway.
In time commuters can expect six lanes up and down 99 from Sacramento to Bakersfield.

"It's going to be a safer smoother facility to travel on."

All here recognize the dire need to improve mobility they say a lot is at stake better access to the highway will support commerce and greatly boost the local and state economy

Because of a larger population base, larger employment-- highway 99 provides a key access point.

While traffic delays are expected, many here say it doesn't compare to how long drivers have waited for theses changes. The one billion dollars investment many expect will come with great returns.

Of course there are many more projects under this bond, and more state-wide. But here is San Joaquin County these improvements will complement the ongoing construction along 120, 1-5 and 205 near in Tracy.