Traffic planning agencies in San Benito and Santa Clara counties
near accord that will open the lines of communication
Gilroy – Santa Clara and San Benito counties are about to complete an agreement aimed at cutting regional traffic disputes off at the pass.
The design for the flyover at the Don Pacheco Y became a contentious issue last year when Santa Clara County’s Valley Transportation Authority chose a design for the intersection of highways 152 and 156 that local officials worried would increase truck traffic on San Benito County roads.
Local opposition to the VTA design has faded during the intervening months as the San Benito County Council of Governments and the VTA have worked to draft a memorandum of understanding which, according to COG Director Pat Loe, will establish quarterly meetings between the two agencies.
“The design of the flyover is pretty well established,” Loe said. “What we have to do is move forward – open the lines of communication so this doesn’t happen in the future.”
The meetings will be an opportunity to discuss traffic planning on a regional scale and also talk about the VTA providing funds to repair and improve San Benito County roads affected by the VTA traffic projects COG Director Anthony Botelho said.
“Transportation issues, congestion and traffic safety, it all has a regional impact,” Botelho said. “We want to have a forum for if we do start seeing adverse impacts … we can sit down together and resolve the problem.”
Now in the VTA’s hands, the draft MOU will likely be finalized this week, according to VTA Spokesperson Brandi Hall. The finalized MOU will be sent to the VTA board for a vote by April, she said.
Santa Clara County Supervisor Don Gage said he agrees that COG and VTA should discuss traffic as a regional issue. He was adamant, however, that VTA not pay for road improvements in San Benito County.
“Each area has to be responsible. They (San Benito) want us to pay for their road improvements,” Gage said. “I don’t agree with that.”
The intersection at highways 152 and 156 has long been a headache for motorists traveling between Interstate 5 and U.S. 101. Good Samaritan motorists often stop to let traffic turn left on to 156, which can cause get-away weekend traffic to back up 13 miles to Gilroy.
