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Friday, Dec 09 2011 10:53 AM

TRIP Draft Environmental Report Available

By The Bakersfield Californian

The draft Environmental Impact Report for another stage of the Thomas Roads Improvement Program was available to the public Friday morning on the TRIP website, www.BakersfieldFreeways.us.

The draft report covers widening a section of Rosedale Highway / Highway 58 from west of Allen Road (post mile 46.1) to Highway 99 (post mile 51.7). It would add two lanes, one in each direction, on Rosedale Highway between Allen Road and Highway 99, making that section six lanes wide.

The report looks at what the planned widening will mean for traffic, the environment, air quality, noise and other measures.

Based on the study, city staff expect to decide that the project won't have a significant effect on the environment, but that doesn't mean the city's decision is final right now, according to the report. It could change based on comments from the public and interested agencies.

The release of the report kicks off a 45-day public comment period. Hard copies of the report were due Friday at several city offices and libraries. You can visit these places to look at a hard copy:

TRIP office, 900 Truxtun Ave., Suite 200

City of Bakersfield Planning Department, 1715 Chester Ave., 2nd Floor

Kern Council of Governments, 1401 19th St., Suite 300

Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave.

Eleanor Wilson Branch Library, 1901 Wilson Road

Bryce C. Rathbun Branch Library, 200 West China Grade Loop

Southwest Branch Library, 8301 Ming Ave.

Two events are planned for public comment on the report: at the Planning Commission's Jan. 5 meeting at City Hall Council Chambers, 1501 Truxtun Ave., and at an open house on Jan. 10 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Connection Assembly of God Church at 7220 Rosedale Highway. Comments will be collected for the final report. Construction is expected to begin in early 2014, according to Ted Wright, city program manager for the Thomas Roads Improvement Program.

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