More TransNet funds for Mission Road projects

Amendments to the county’s TransNet local street and road program will provide an $870,800 increase in funding from the sales tax for two Mission Road projects.

The 4-0 San Diego County Board of Supervisors vote November 1, with Supervisor Ron Roberts absent, adds $750,800 for the East Mission Road widening and $120,000 for the South Mission Road project.

The TransNet half-cent sales tax was approved by the county’s voters in November 1987, and a 40-year extension of the original 20-year program was approved in November 2004. The San Diego Association of Governments administers the TransNet program, and while local jurisdictions have discretion over their proportional share of the one-third of the revenue for local streets and roads, the jurisdictions submit a program of projects to SANDAG. Periodic amendments cover changing requirements as well as increased construction and right-of-way acquisition costs. Prior to the November 1 amendments, the County of San Diego last amended the program and its expenditure figures on April 5.

Right-of-way negotiations to widen East Mission Road between South Mission Road and Main Avenue, including the construction of new sidewalks along the south side of West Mission Road, have taken longer than expected. The program authorized April 5 included $824,000 of Fiscal Year 2006-07 TransNet expenditures for East Mission Road, and the November 1 amendments increase that amount to $1,574,800. The right-of-way acquisition is expected to be complete by March 2007, and construction is anticipated to take place between June 2007 and December 2007.

Mission Road Phase II widened Mission Road between Pepper Tree Lane and Clemmens Lane. The construction was originally scheduled to be complete in July 2006, but the completion was delayed until October by utility relocation issues. The $865,000 allocated for FY 2006-07 was increased to $985,000 to cover the additional costs for construction administration and support.