Caltrans is planning a major project on the entire length of Highway 243 tentatively in early 2025 and is asking the public whether a public hearing should be held.

“The proposed project includes pavement rehabilitation, culver repair, Midwest guardrail system upgrades, sign panel replacement, lighting rehabilitation, curb ramp upgrades and roadside safety improvements,” according to the Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration. The notice was mailed to property owners contiguous to the project and published in the Press-Enterprise, according to Antonia Toledo, senior environmental planner on the project. She said this was in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) §15072(b).

Since Highway 243 has undergone extensive repair, including culvert replacements, as a result of the Feb. 14, 2019, floods, the Town Crier asked Toledo for details about the project.

“Yes, we’ve had several emergency projects in the area,” she said. “This project is a completely separate project.”

She said “property owners were identified based on the latest equalized assessment roll. Please note that because of the length of the project (close to 30 miles long), some parcels may have been missed; which is the reason why we also published the notice in the newspaper. Although CEQA requires only one method of noticing, it is Caltrans’ standard practice to notify the public using at least the two above-mentioned methods to maximize public involvement.”

Anyone who would like to be included on the distribution list may email Toledo at antonia.toledo@dot.ca.gov.

Toledo said the project will not shut down the highway. Construction is expected to last about 300 working days.

Caltrans is estimated to release the Draft Environmental Document, which gives project details, Monday, Jan. 24. If that occurs, public comments will be accepted beginning that day and will close Wednesday, Feb. 23. If no major public comments or requests for public hearing are received, Caltrans will proceed with the project.