Mojave chamber seeks Caltrans freeway investigation
BY BILL DEAVER
Mojave chamber seeks Caltrans freeway investigation
DESERT NEWS STAFF REPORT
MOJAVE &emdash; Leaders in this community virtually isolated by the
process of
completing the new Highway 58 freeway and stunned by the design of one
of its
interchanges are demanding a state and federal investigation of the California
Department
of Transportation (Caltrans).
In a letter to county, state, and federal lawmakers representing the community.
the Mojave
Chamber of Commerce and Town Council asked that "the legislature and the
new
governor conduct a thorough investigation of an agency (Caltrans) whose
decisions
endanger our physical and economic health."
Signed by Chamber President Denise Peters and Town Council Preas sent to
Supervisor
Don Maben, Assemblyman Bill Maze, state Senator Roy Ashburn, and Congressman
Bill
Thomas.
In Rosamond Saturday, Ashburn promised to seek the investigation as soon
as the recall
election is decided.
"I understand your concerns," Ashburn said.
Concerns raised
Primary concerns raised in the letter include the freeway's design, the
decision to isolate
the community while the freeway is completed, why local commuters and residents
of
Cache Creek Park were required to drive out of their way while the freeway
is being
completed, and why construction of a Flying J travel plaza that will employ
some 80 people
at the Highway 14/58 interchange has been delayed.
"We want to know why Caltrans chose to consider the financial interests
of its contractors
over the economic future of our local hospitality businesses in its decision
to virtually
isolate Mojave for several weeks while the new freeway is completed," the
letter asks.
The lawmakers were also asked why signing on the new freeway is "making
it almost
impossible for drivers to find Mojave."
Monday, California City City Manager Jack Stewart said his city is also
upset at the lack of
signing on the freeway directing drivers to the city.
'Thorough investigation'
In addition to asking county and state lawmakers to investigate Caltrans,
the letter asks
Congressman Thomas to approach the investigation from the perspective of
Caltrans' use
of federal transportation funds.
"We could go on and on about the shortcomings of this state agency, which,
in recent
years, seems tone-deaf to the needs of the people it serves," the letter
concluded.
Although not mentioned in the letter, community leaders in East Kern also
want the region
to again be managed by Caltrans District 9, based in Bishop, rather than
District 6 in
Fresno.
"District 6 is way too big &emdash; we always had good relations with
Caltrans when we
were in District 9," Deaver said, adding that county and regional officials
agree.
"We're hoping that the new governor can change this," he said.
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