HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09161986 - 2.7 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: J. MICHAEL WALFORD, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
DATE: September 16, 1986
SUBJECT: - Camino Tassajara - Tassajara Valley Area
Specific Request(s) or'Reconmendation s & Background & Justification
RECOMMENDATION
Acknowledge receipt of report and consider action to be taken.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None '
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND
On September 9, 1986, the Board of Supervisors referred to the Public Works Director for
report at the September 16 meeting, a petition signed by numerous residents along Camino
Tassajara requesting the enforcement of the load limit on the portion of Camino Tassajara
from Finley Road to the Alameda County Line .
The Traffic Operation section of Public Works has been working with the California Highway
Patrol to solve problems with the enforcement of the load limit. During the last few days ,
heavy trucks have been deterred from using Camino Tassajara.
Camino Tassajara between Finley Road and Alameda County Line is a narrow two lane rural
road . It was original built in the 1920' s and there were no major subsequent
modifications . The road is substandard according to current design standards both for
horizontal alignment and structural capacity to withstand heavy trucks .
When the construction of the Blackhawk Development started in 1978, both Camino Tassajara
and Dougherty Road were used by construction truck traffic. By 1979, Dougherty Road was
destroyed and. Camino Tassajara was on the verge of destruction. At that time , the Board of
Supervisors approved the termination of maintenance on Dougherty Road. The Board of
Supervisors also imposed a 7 ton load limit on Camino Tassajara and provided for some
minimal restoration of Camino Tassajara. Construction truck traffic was routed to Sycamore
Valley Road while a considerable amount of truck traffic continued to use Dougherty Road .
During this period, contractors for the Blackhawk Development would occasionally perform
maintenance work on Dougherty Road to allow safe passage of their trucks..
In 1983, the State of California imposed a load limit on a bridge crossing on Dougherty
Road because of severe deterioation. Sycamore Valley Road became the only access to the
developments along the Sycamore Valley area. Trucks began to use Camino Tassajara
illegally.
While the situation with load limit violation is under control now, it was clear at the
September 9 Board meeting and at a subsequent meeting that Supervisor Schroder had with the
residents that the issue goes beyond the enforcement of the load limit. With almost 5000
dwelling units being proposed in the Tassajara Valley and Sycamore Valley, construction
truck traffic will continue to be an issue and has to be dealt with both at the development
application stage and during construction .
The residents are concerned about the destruction of County roads which were not designed
to withstand the heavy trucks. Our estimate to reconstruct Camino Tassajara and Dougherty
Road sufficient to stand the truck traffic is $8 million. They are also concerned about
the.__safety. of other users_,_especially school age _children., the noise .impact_and__ vibration
felt inside a house caused by the trucks . While Camino Tassajara is undesirable as a truck
route, Sycamore Valley Road is equally undesirable.
Several alternatives were discussed with the residents . They are listed below for your
consideration. Alternative one is our recommended alternative .
1. Maintain the status' quo by continuing to enforce the load limit on Camino Tassajara.
Construction truck traffic will continue to use Sycamore Valley Road until Crow Canyon
Road is opened to traffic. Since Crow Canyon Road is a shorter and better route, we
anticipate that the truck traffic will use Crow Canyon Road. The reimbursement agree-
ment with Blackhawk Corporation for the Crow Canyon Road Extension stipulates that the
road will be opened to traffic by January 1, 1987. Their construction schedule
however, indicates that the road will probably be opened by mid November.
2. The Board of Supervisors can appropriate $250,000 to temporarily repair the bridge
crossing and level out Dougherty Road. Then Dougherty Road can be designated as
construction truck route. Using Dougherty Road will cause the least impact to
commercial and residential developments in the San Ramon Valley. Because of the
needed repair, the road would not be available for truck traffic until mid December or
January 1987.
3. Rescind the load limit on Camino Tassajara until Crow Canyon Road is completed. At the
same time , declare that the speed limit on Camino Tassajara shall be 40 miles per
hour. This will allow the truck traffic to choose the best route to access the site
thereby somewhat equalizing the truck traffic on both Camino Tassajara and Sycamore
Valley Road. The reduced speed limit i f vigorously enforced will address the safety
concern of the residents . Since Camino Tassajara is a much shorter route, most truck
traffic will probably select this route. This is anticipated to have a detrimental
effect on the condition of Camino Tassajara .
Continued on attachment: yes Signature•
Recommendation of County Administrator ecommendation of 96ard ommittee
Approve Other:
Signature(s):
Action of Board on: September 16, 1986 Approved as Recommended X Other. X
The Board noted that it had earlier this day approved item 2.3, a reirbursement
agreement with Blackhawk Corporation for the Crow Canyon Road extension. As
recommended by Supervisor Schroder, the Board approved Public Works Recommendation
No. 1 above, and directed that the CHP be requested to enforce. current load limit
restrictions on Camino Tassajara, directed that the Public Works Director notify
the City of Danville, and work with the Blackhawk Corporation to assure cooperation
with the contractors in the area.
Vote of Supervisors I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
X Unanimous (Absent ) AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
Ayes: Noes: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON DATE SHOWN.
Absent: Abstain:
Attested September 16, 1986
Orig. Div.: Public Works (RE) PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
60:16.T9
MMS:ly
cc: All distribution via Public Works By
Calif. Highway Patrol EPUT C
Alameda County
Clerk of the Board
Public Works Dept.
City of Danville
City of San Ramon
Public Works Mai nt.
M. Durkee
P. 0. Box V
Halnut Creek, CA 94596