HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/18/2025 Item 7b, Cross
Brett Cross <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:7B US 101/PRADO ROAD INTERCHANGE PROJECT UPDATE AND AWARD OF THE
PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND ESTIMATES (PS&E) DESIGN
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Dear City Council members,
I think it's probably time to come to the realization that the Prado Rd overpass as a envisioned isn't financially
feasible. The cost estimates have been wildly off since inception of the San Luis Ranch Specific Plan. Cost estimates
began at around $28 million, hence the cost sharing amount determined for San Luis Ranch, hence the $9.8
million. Which was approximately 1/3 the total project cost.
Costs then escalated to between $32 and $34 million. Then a estimate of $42 or $43 million was revealed in a staff report
subsequent to final approval of the San Luis Ranch Specific plan. It should be noted that the proportion that San Luis
Ranch was obligated to contribute has not changed with cost estimates. Although I'm not sure where the staff report is
getting the $24 Million figure
Estimates then increased to around $100 million and now are anticipated to be around $149 million, with City's portion of
$109 million? I'm not even sure what the number is actually. Not that it really matters because the City in no way has that
money available.
I don't how the City believes it can pay for this project. I don't think its very probable. One of my concerns is what
happens if the City uses the $9.8 million of developer funds for Plans or is it $24 million?, Specifications and Estimate
(PS&E) and then it becomes even more obvious the project cannot be funded through grants or other local tax methods(
saile tax increase, property tax increase or other methods). So will this require the city to reimburse the developer those
funds that were paid. Now you've spent $9.8 million and will you then be required to basically refund those monies..
I guess I should ask how much has been spent already on this project and where did those funds originate from?
The City's best bet at this point is to adopt staff's alternative #1
1. Deny award of PS&E Contract. Direct Staff to investigate reduced scale overpass Concept. Instead of proceeding with
PS&E for the current interchange design, Council could instead direct staff not to award the PS&E contract at this time,
and to instead explore lower-cost design alternatives that differ significantly from the current scope. Examples of this
could include: Bicycle and Pedestrian Only Overcrossing – propose an overcrossing over Highway 101 without any
vehicle lanes
The City's second best bet is to complete the Southbound 101 off and on ramps at the Los Osos Valley Road interchange
as originally proposed but due to cost wasn't completed and Calle Joaquin. road configuration with a through street to
Prado/Dalidio Dr. That can't be more than what has been collected in Traffic Impact fees from both San Luis Ranch and
other projects that have paid Traffic Impact Fees.
Obligating the residents of this community for a project that basically moves vehicles around in different direction that just
pushes the eventual gridlock to a different intersection doesn't make a lot of sense due to fact the Dalidio Dr. just T's into
Madonna Rd. That really doesn't help much. And now with the developer asking for a significant land use change from
Retail/Commercial to residential the traffic volumes are likely to be significantly less.
Sincerely,
Brett Cross
San Luis Obispo
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