Richardson Grove's 101 Widening Mulled
I'd always thought about it. Now others seem to be seriously talking about widening Highway 101 at Richardson Grove. I never thought anyone would seriously talk out loud about that.
It is tight through there. I'll be the first to admit it gives me the willies when I'm driving through there opposite a big truck coming the other way.
It's almost as bad as The Slab used to be, but the slab was nowhere near as lengthy as Richardson Grove. Any of you remember that part of the highway way back in the '70s? I believe it was a bit north of Confusion Hill (I can never remember exactly where it is but I recognize it when I see it).
Before they made a bypass for The Slab, you had to go around this real narrow cement slab that seemed to be perched on a cliff. Back then I was amazed it could handle two way traffic, as little room as there was. Scary to me, even in my late teens.
So, it will be nice if they can widen the road at Richardson Grove a bit, but they don't have all that much room to work with down there, regardless.
I wonder if any of the environmental community will try to stop the project, assuming it's eventually approved?
posted by Fred Mangels @ 8:10 AM
36 comments
36 Comments:
My understanding is that the only hold up on the widening is the redwoods. No one political wants to take the shit that will come down for removing a dozen or more large old growths.
My guess is they are trying to identify an entirely alternate route or split the road into two separate one way sections. I'd recommend making the existing road a double decker or tunneling under.
Either way Fred will be properly scared, as he has been his enitre life, of anything that presents the slightest challenge, requires skill or reasoned judgement.
Spend the damn money to make one big long tunnel straight through from Arcata to Redding and then on one from Eureka to Ukiah.
Yes, let's spend several billion dollars to build Nick's Tunnel.
Nick doesn't like the men who laugh at his ideas. No. He likes it not very much at all. Who would have the last laugh if the tunnel was built? Hmm? NICHOLAS THE GREAT, thats who! Then they would be fawning at his feet, telling him how smart, beautiful and successful he is, yes! Yes! This tunnel will be built. Iy will be done!
boring.
I sincerly think the roads going out of Humboldt need to be restructured. It would signifigantly lower shipping costs for businesses.
No Nick, that is a dumb idea. How stupid can you be? We need to invest in rail infrastructure! Highways are not sustainable. Nick, you are an idiot, and mother was right to hit you on the head and tell you so!
Anon 2:43. Could do both but first that would require people (such as yourself) to pull their heads out of their arse.
They need to jump across the river before they enter the park, run the new road right through the Dimmick ranch, then jump back across at piercy. This way you get a new road, save the redwoods, and wipe out reggae on the river, A win,win,win, situation.
The dope growers don't need a bigger road. Rodoni is pushing this so that he HIS cattle can get out of county cheaper. Since PALCO went belly up, Rodoni will soon have to pay fair market rent for his ranch. Nothing like personal interest to grease the political skids.
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Today I went back to my place in Willow Creek and discovered my door had been broken open and my place ransacked.
Local police weren't helpful.
I don't feel safe here. I'm going back to L.A. Bravo will never find me there.
Poor Fred. Having to put up with the Nick Bravo and friends show.
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freds gonna be exercisin that delete button prety liberally when he gets here.
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Yep!
Fred, yes, I remember "the slab" that you mention. It was scary to me, too. Can't remember quite where it was, but remnants of the old cliff-hugging road (with its little railing keeping cars from falling off into the abyss) can still be seen from the present U.S. 101 at that location.
It is still there. There use to be a walking trail on the old road. Don't know if it is still accessible.
There will be a big fight if cutting down the old growth is suggested. Tree huggers like me will protest. How about a bypass around the park like Drury Parkway at Prairie Creek?
Let's be reasonable Carol.Which would have the least impact, a widening project or a bypass?
Bypass is probably 250 million or more. They studied it and it was not feasible. Plus, how many trees would we lose doing that?
What kills me is the statement that says that we are willing to tolerate the major environmental damage caused by a bypass to save 2-3 trees. Who is the true environmentalist here? It's about ecology, not saving a tree or two.
8:59 You're all too eager to buy the party line. You assert that $250 Million is not feasible, but what is the basis of that? People may reasonably differ greatly on how to determine feasibility. Is $900 Billion for an Iraq war "feasible"? Feasibility is a value judgement not an objective measure.
Now about your equating environmentalism with tree counts. That's like equating progress in Iraq with body counts. Its much more complicated. Balancing human and wildlife needs to create a particular future isn't only about simply counting noses. Just an example, diversity and stability of populations are very important considerations.
Bottom line, planning and unbiased understanding of the implications of choices is a better way to create and discuss options.
Of course, that's contrary to the ideologicaly driven people of all stripes who know only their wallets, a sacred holy book, euphoric navel gazing, or their personal pet peeves.
$250M for a bypass around Richadrson's Grove is even Less likely than the $147M for Willits. 12 trees is all that is between a slow bottle neck and a decent freeway that will save fuel and lower transportation costs. If 'enviros' really cared they wouldn't make a stink about widdening at this location.
And Nick-the tunnel idea would have been a much better solution for Confusion Hill imo. Put a tunnel there and let the mountain come down as much as it wanted to-what makes them think the other side won't slide? Silly men with computers.
"Silly men with computers."
Women use computers too. And a lot of the Caltrans engineers are female.
8:59
You're pretty close. The least expensive option in 2002, 101 Route concept report was $314 M. Much more than that now.
And....the environmental downside of a bypass is huge, far more than clearing the path for a wider road. but, the political will and the $$$ weren't there then and, they aren't there now.
It's not in the STIP, TCRP or 1B recommendations through 2011.
Oh and fred....thanks for removing the Bravo virus.
I'll sleep better without that psychic damage.
We all talk about the cost of isolation but we never talk about its value.
Could run night one way traffic through Richardson Grove. There are only about 4 or 5 driveways to contend with as some are across the street from the other one. If there was a red light where only northbound traffic could pass the drive way could have a green light on the north side and a red light on the south and then it could switch when the other way was open. Not as simple as it sounds it could be but somehow when CalTrans is repairing bridges on 299 or the road the red light/green light works so what would it take to add a couple of more lights to the system?? Probably less than in the $300 plus M. No trees down. Highway through there is pretty empty at night anyway and if the larger trucks understood the hours it would be one way then they would be able to know where they had to be at certain hours.
11:23 you're onto something. It seems simple enough- what's a couple of minutes each direction in the big picture?
Yes, 11:23, that is good insight.
Very nice to see someone thinking.
Kind regards,
4:40 name one female engineer with CalTrans... no two, you said a lot of the Caltrans engineers are female
A woman came up with the idea of putting a tunnel at Confusion Hill and letting the mountain come down 'as much as it wants'. Of course the tunnel would not have included widdening, but the alternate side of the river is also subject to slides.
What do you think Doug?
Sharon McCarrell and Kathleen Frances you stupid prick. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Yours truly, 4:40.
I've posted what was supposed to be an E.R. column on this Richardson Grove widening topic on my blog site for those interested.
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