AB 93 would require the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to immediately initiate design and all other project development work for the construction of a tunnel in San Mateo County on State Highway Route 1 behind Devil's Slide through San Pedro Mountain.
Existing Law: Requires Caltrans to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain transportation systems pursuant to legislative direction.
This Bill: Would require Caltrans to immediately initiate design and all other project development work for the construction of a tunnel in San Mateo County on State Highway Route 1 behind Devils’ Slide through San Pedro Mountain, require Caltrans to complete an estimate of the costs for the project and report that estimate to San Mateo County by July 1, 1997, and require Caltrans to pursue all sources of available federal funding including, but not limited to, emergency relief funds so that construction may begin by January 1, 1998.
Discussion: San Mateo County Measure T (Devil’s Slide Tunnel Initiative), overwhelmingly passed by voters on November 5, 1996, required a change to the San Mateo County Local Coastal Program (LCP) to substitute a tunnel alternative at Devil’s Slide south of Pacifica in place of a bypass on Highway One, as a permanent solution to the frequent closures of the highway due to the continual rock and mudslides at Devil’s Slide. At its January meeting, the Coastal Commission voted 9-0 to adopt San Mateo County LCP amendment No. 1-96. In its adopted findings, the Commission found that the proposal is consistent with the California Coastal Act, and will not result in significant adverse environmental effects within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act.
This bill would have no fiscal impacts on the Commission.
Staff recommends that the Commission SUPPORT AB 93. (Adopted 4/10/97)
For more information contact Jeff Stump, Legislative Coordinator, at (916) 445-6067.
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