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July 30, 2001
Permit Approval Clears Way For SR-125 South Construction
SAN DIEGO -- The federal government today approved the final environmental permit for the State Route 125 South Project, clearing the way for construction to start later this year on this key portion of the region's transportation plan.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) stated that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' approval of the Section 404 Permit means that the Department has completed the required environmental approval process. The SR-125 South Project will consist of 11 miles of initially constructed four-lane highway, from Route 905 in Otay Mesa to Route 54 in Spring Valley.
The project's 9.3 miles to the south will be constructed as a $400 million, privately-funded toll road. The northern 1.5 miles, including the freeway-to-freeway interchange at SR-54, will be built for $130 million, using federal funds and money from the county's half-cent sales tax known as TransNet through the San Diego Association of Governments.
"This part of the project culminates a long and comprehensive process that has involved years of environmental studies," said Caltrans Project Manager Charles "Muggs" Stoll. "Over the years we have had valuable input from supporters and opponents alike, and I truly believe it has helped make this a project that best represents a balance of needs, benefits and impacts."
Chula Vista Mayor Shirley Horton stressed the importance of building the SR-125 South Project to address growing transportation concerns. "We are looking forward to the groundbreaking of this vital link in our transportation plan. Without it, there is no doubt that future congestion in the South Bay Area would become unmanageable. It would result in long traffic delays, and translate into wasted time and dollars."
Caltrans is developing the toll road portion of the project through a public-private partnership with California Transportation Ventures Inc. (CTV), a private consortium sponsored by Parsons Brinckerhoff and Egis Projects. CTV will operate and maintain the toll road for 35 years, and then control of the road reverts back to the state. Caltrans will operate and maintain the publicly-funded portion to the north.
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