Quick commitment to complete Springs highway project

The upgrade of Highway 12 through the Springs will continue, thanks to new redevelopment dollars that, the county quickly decided last week, were at risk of being seized by the state.

The Board of Supervisors authorized another $13 million for the project, which will widen the road, create a consistent left-turn lane, and add curbs, sidewalks and light poles.

Phase II of the master plan extends the improvements from Boyes Boulevard to Aqua Caliente Rd. There is also a gap near Donald Ave. that will be addressed.

The Springs project has some funding remaining from a 2008 bond issue. The new infusion looks to guarantee completion while keeping the committed dollars away from the state.

Any uncommitted dollars could be confiscated if Gov. Jerry Brown makes good on a plan to dissolve redevelopment agencies statewide.

“To the best of our knowledge, we’ve done everything we can to safeguard the funding,” said John Haig. “We’re doing everything we can do to make sure the project moves forward.”

An initial contract has been made with the public works department, and a formal bidding process will begin immediately.

The move was among many countywide expenditures authorized by the Board of Supervisors, sitting as the Community Development Commission, on Jan. 18.

For improvements in Sonoma Valley, Haig said the Highway 12 project was the board’s top priority. “It’s been part of the overall plan since the beginning.”