Merced County Supervisors move ahead with huge road project. How much it’ll cost
Calling it a “momentous investment” and a “game-changer,” the Merced County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday announced it is moving forward with a plan to improve area roads.
The board said its large-scale project will resurface 17 roadways over more than 41 miles throughout unincorporated Merced County. The proposed list of roadways is available at the county website.
The project will cost an estimate $31.9 million, and will be paid for by issuing bonds, the county said in a news release.
The roadway work will begin this summer and will take two to three years to complete, the county said.
“This investment reflects our commitment to maintaining and improving the infrastructure our residents rely on every day,” Board Chairman Daron McDaniel said. “We’re rapidly accelerating road repairs by leveraging our Measure V allocation and strategic financing. This is a game-changer for Merced County.”
Merced County pays for its annual road improvements through a mix of sources, including Measure V. That is the half-cent sales tax approved by voters in November 2016. The measure generates approximately $5 million to $6 million annually for roadway improvements, the county said.
“The action by the Board of Supervisors today represents the single greatest locally financed transportation infrastructure investment in the county’s history,” said County Executive Officer Mark Hendrickson. “The proposed road rehabilitation project demonstrates sound fiscal planning, innovative thinking and disciplined use of voter-approved transportation funding without impacting the county’s general fund.”
There are additional roadways — including portions of Santa Fe Drive, Turlock Road, McKee Road, Hatch Road, and others — that are already in line for repairs, the news release said.
