Measure G
San Benito County Roads, Transportation, Safety and Investment Plan
San Benito County is home to about 60,000 residents, who rely on our transportation system to get to work, school, home, and so much more, every day. There are significant transportation needs throughout the county, from local streets and roads, to major highways. The fact is, San Benito County roads are crumbling under the weight of decades of underinvestment, and average daily traffic on Highway 25 has doubled since the mid 1990’s.
The Council of Governments’ Transportation Safety and Investment Plan was unanimously approved by San Benito County voters on November 6, 2018. COG is working diligently to to implement the San Benito County Roads and Transportation Safety Investment Plan with a 1% sales tax, which will address these critical issues and help shape a successful transportation future for San Benito County residents for generations to come. The tax will become effective in April 2019. Click here to read the most recent news about Measure G.
The Council of San Benito County Governments (COG) is the County’s transportation planning agency. Our locally elected Board of Directors is composed of five members representing all areas of San Benito County, including the City of Hollister, the City of San Juan Bautista, and the unincorporated areas of San Benito County including Aromas, Ridgemark, Tres Pinos, and others. Both the COG Board and Staff are committed to maintaining and improving transportation for all of San Benito County.
Our recently adopted San Benito Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) 2040 identifies projects with the recognized transportation needs of the public. The investments proposed are reflective of the Council of Governments’ policy goals as well as the suggestions expressed by interested community groups, policy makers, partner agencies, stakeholders and the public. We heard a need for local roadway maintenance, improvements to State Route 25, as well as a desire for healthier, more walkable and bike‐friendly community. Community members also emphasized the importance of transportation to support the economic vitality of the region.
Our Regional Transportation Plan has identified a need of more than $1.8B in projects across multiple modes of transportation and areas throughout the county. Our transportation needs are a shared responsibility of federal, state, regional, and local funding sources including commercial, industrial and residential developers to ensure that new developments pay their fair share of the transportation costs. Even with this, we have gap of $700m in need to address the most critical issues — including improving and maintaining local roads and widening Highway 25 to increase safety and relieve traffic.
The Roads and Transportation Safety Investment Plan details the most pressing needs and a prudent solution to address them.
Measure G Citizens’ Oversight Committee Information
FAQs
What are the transportation needs of San Benito County?
- Maintain Local Streets and Roads: San Benito County roads are crumbling under the weight of decades of underinvestment due to funding deficiencies. Our region is one of seven counties in the state to have an average pavement condition of 46, well below “at risk,” and significantly worse than the statewide average. San Benito County has a combined pavement maintenance need of over $350 million. Well maintained streets and roads will improve safety and traffic flow on local roads.
- Widen Highway 25: Average daily traffic at the San Benito/Santa Clara County line has more than doubled since the mid 1990s. We have made significant improvements, but we need four lanes. Widening Highway 25 will increase safety and relieve traffic congestion.
- Repair potholes and roadway cracking. Apply slurry seals and overlays.
- Increase pedestrian and bike safety.
- Protect and enhance bus and paratransit services for seniors, people with disabilities, and youth.