CALTRANS PLUGS LAST INTERSTATE 5 GAP; ROAD BUILDERS HIT TILT TO MASS TRANSIT

The final gap in the major north-south highway along the Pacific Coast has been plugged. Interstate 5 runs 1,380 miles from Canada to Mexico, 800 miles of it in California. But until recently, traffic along the interstate was diverted around a gap south of Sacramento. The final five-mile segment of the highway between Sacramento and Stockton had been delayed for years while the state and environmental groups fought over a side issue -- the construction of a nearby canal. Environmental groups have opposed the canal, saying the water diversion would damage the quality of the Delta's fishing. Interstate 5 became part of the squabble because the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) wanted to take material for the freeway from a series of borrow pits that would become part of the nearby canal. The issue bounced around the courts for several years until the state finally got the legal clearance several years ago to build the highway. Three contracts were awarded in sequence to close the gap and the final contract was completed last month.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1519687
• Authors:
  • Walters, D
• Publication Date: 1979-12

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 20
• Serial:
  • Better Roads
  • Volume: 49
  • Issue Number: 12
  • Publisher: James Informational Media, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0006-0208
  • Serial URL: http://www.betterroads.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Canals; Contracts; Environmental impacts; Environmental protection; Highways; Road construction; State departments of transportation; Water quality
• Identifier Terms: Interstate Highway System
• Uncontrolled Terms: Highway administration
• Old TRIS Terms: Highway systems
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Construction; Environment; Highways; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00314811
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 27 1980 12:00AM