An updated cost estimate for the Martini Creek Bypass will be available for comparison with the cost of a tunnel through Devil's Slide by mid-October, according to the California Department of Transportation.
In a letter dated Aug. 29 from Dennis Bosler, CalTrans District IV project manager, to San Mateo County Counsel Tom Casey, Bosler said an updated cost estimate for the bypass will be provided sometime after Oct. 8. That is the scheduled date for a public meeting by the three-person Technical Advisory Committee to discuss the anticipated complete results of the tunnel study, taking into consideration both the technical feasibility and cost.
Tunnel supporters have been pressing for an updated cost estimate for the bypass to give voters going to the polls on Nov. 5 to cast ballots on Measure T a chance to compare the two alternatives on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
"CalTrans recognizes the need to provide the voters of San Mateo County with thorough, comparable, up-to-date information concerning both the bypass alternative and the tunnel study," Bosler wrote Casey.
According to the letter, CalTrans is "investigating the possible use of existing contracted services to provide an independent review of an updated bypass estimate."
A comprehensive public update on the tunnel study is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 18 in Redwood City. The Citizens' Advisory Committee will host the meeting, which begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Board of Supervisors's chambers, 401 Marshall St.
According to an Aug. 24 report from Ralph Trapani, a member of the Technical Advisory Committee, to Casey, the tunnel study consultant "continues to be given the support and latitude to conduct a credible feasibility study . . . (If) CalTrans follows up on their commitment . . . to have an outside consultant review and upgrade the Martini Creek Bypass costs within a similar time frame, the public will have good solid technical information to base their votes on."