What is the Project?
The proposed project will upgrade State Route 149 in Butte County to a four lane expressway, and construct freeway to freeway interchanges at the existing SR 70/149 and SR 99/149 intersections.  The roadway widening will add two additional 12 foot lanes, a 5 foot median shoulder and a 60 to 72 foot median for the full length of SR 149 (4.6 miles). Also involved will be:

• A realignment of SR 70 between SR 149 and 191
• Reconstruction of the SR 70/191 intersection
• Construction of highway access roads
• Rehabilitation of the existing SR 149 roadway
• Construction of three adjacent county roads (portion of Shippee, Table Mountain Blvd. and the Book Farm Road)
• Construction of a drainage system to eliminate ponding within the state right of way on the north side of SR 149 near SR 70 

Why is the Project being done?
Currently SR 149 connects with SR 99 and SR 70 with at grade intersections.  Turning movements across oncoming traffic have resulted in accident rates that far exceed the state average for this type of roadway.  The largest number of and type of accidents occurring are broadsides.  The single largest factor driving the need for this project is safety.  This roadway and the 149/70 and 149/99 at grade intersections are responsible for a significant number of traffic fatalities in Butte County.   

State Route 149 is an undivided two-lane rural highway and is a connecting link between the four-lane SR 70 north of Oroville and the four-lane SR 99 south of Chico.  It serves inter-regional and local commuter traffic.  Chico is one of the last remaining urbanized areas in the state that is not directly connected by a continuous four-lane highway system, and is not connected to the State freeway system.

What is the current status of the Project?
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated nearly $85 million for the construction of this project at the July 2005 meeting. Bids for the project were received by Caltrans in February of 2006.  The low bidder, Granite/FCI, was awarded the construction contract in March of 2006.  Full roadway construction began in May 2006. The project is currently over 90% complete.  It is expected that the roadway will fully operational by the Fall of this year with complete closeout of the project by the Fall of next year (2009) 

Questions or comments:
Should you have any questions or comments regarding the project please call or e-mail Jon Clark, Executive Director at (530) 879-2468. For questions regarding the Freshwater Marsh and Vernal Pool projects please contact Andy Newsum, Project Manager.