Lovers Lane Operational Improvements and Rehabilitation Project

Project Description

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in cooperation with the City of Visalia, proposes to make operational improvements at the State Route 198/Lovers Lane undercrossing from post miles R11.3 to R12.0 and rehabilitate State Route 216 from post miles R0.0 to 2.56 in Tulare County.

 

Graphic depicting the project location in Visalia

 

Project Benefits

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to restore the existing facility on State Route 216 along Lovers Lane from Mineral King Avenue to Houston Avenue to a state of good repair and extend the pavement service life of State Route 216 along Houston Avenue from Lovers Lane to McAuliff Street. The project would also make ramp intersection improvements to reduce congestion and delays and improve the Level of Service at the Lovers Lane undercrossing of State Route 198 between Noble Avenue and Mineral King Avenue.

Need

The pavement on State Route 216 along Lovers Lane from Mineral King Avenue to Houston Avenue has deteriorated extensively, which has resulted in an unacceptable ride quality for motorists along this route. The pavement has deteriorated to the extent that rehabilitation is needed. Likewise, State Route 216 along Houston Avenue from Lovers Lane to McAuliff Street is experiencing pavement distress, though less so. If left uncorrected, the pavement will deteriorate further to the extent that a major roadway rehabilitation will be needed.

At the Lovers Lane interchange, the ramp intersections have been experiencing traffic congestion, excessive vehicle delays, and queuing (long lines of backed-up vehicles) due to increased traffic volumes. Without improvements, the facility will operate at an unacceptable Level of Service at some locations.

 

Estimated Funding Breakdown

Construction Cost: $30,700,000

 

Partnerships

  • City of Visalia
  • Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG)

 

Proposed Project Schedule

Process Date
Final environmental document to be completed June 2021
Right-of-way acquisition to be completed April 2023
Design to be completed May 2023
Advertise July 2023
Construction to begin October 2023
Construction to be completed January 2025

 

Project Contact

District 6 Public Information Office
Phone:  (559) 444-2409
Email:  d6.public.info@dot.ca.gov

 

Documents

 

Title VI Information

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) assures that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and Federal Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations).

Caltrans will make every effort to ensure nondiscrimination in all of its programs and activities, whether they are federally funded or not, and that services and benefits are fairly distributed to all people, regardless of race, color, or national origin. In addition, Caltrans will facilitate meaningful participation in the transportation planning process in a nondiscriminatory manner.