Project is the first phase of a larger safety effort for Lake County travelers
Kelseyville – Caltrans and local officials on Wednesday gathered at State Route 29 at Konocti Rock Company Road to celebrate the completion of the $85 million Konocti Corridor project, the first phase of a safety project that will eventually widen an 8-mile section of Route 29. The cost was covered by Caltrans, the Lake Area Planning Council (Lake APC), and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
“Completing the first phase of the Konocti Corridor Project advances the long term vision for a brighter future for Lake County and all Californians,” said Caltrans District 1 Director Matt Brady. “Our continuing partnership with the Lake Area Planning Council and the Federal Highway Administration has helped make this safety project possible.”
Lake APC Executive Director, Lisa Davey-Bates, who has worked on this project for 23 years, highlighted the importance of the partnerships that enabled the project to proceed.
“From the start, it’s been a long, but rewarding process. I’d like to take this opportunity to give my sincerest thanks to Caltrans staff who have contributed their time, energy, and financial support to the Konocti Corridor project,” said Davey-Bates. “Since 1988 there has been a team of experts working together on this project to provide a safer and more efficient roadway network for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians in Lake County.”
The corridor serves the communities of Lakeport, Kelseyville, Lower Lake, and Middletown, as well as auto and commercial truck traffic traveling between U.S. 101 and Interstate 5. With anticipated traffic growth, by expanding the section of highway to four lanes with controlled access, capacity will be increased, and highway safety will be significantly improved. In addition, the new expressway will assist in achieving the long-range plan to divert traffic from communities on the northern end of Clearlake, where pedestrian and nonmotorized traffic safety have been an ongoing concern.
In all, the project will widen an 8-mile section of Route 29 and is separated into three different segments. The recently completed 3-mile segment, 2C, extends from east of Route 175 near Kelseyville to Konocti Rock Company Road. The other two portions, segment 2A and 2B, are to the east of 2C, and the partners are working to secure funding to complete the project.
“While we are grateful for the completion of the first phase of the Konocti Corridor safety project, we are still not done,” said Caltrans Corridor Manager Jaime Matteoli. “Our team is currently working on the financial support needed to finish the five-mile stretch of roadway on Route 29.”
O.C. Jones & Sons was the contractor for the first segment of the project. For more information, visit https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-1/d1-projects/d1-konocti-corridor-lake-29.
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