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San Benito County Local News: Transportation


All Local Transportation News articles contributed by our local media allies and other local newsrooms.

Image caption: California transportation history runs from railroads to today’s car culture.
California’s History of Transportation: From Railroads to Highways

The history of transportation in California has shaped the state, from the railroads to today’s highways, making the need for planning increasingly urgent. Here’s how it all happened, and where we stand today.

Image caption: Over two weekends last October, residents of Santa Cruz and Watsonville  participated in demonstration rides aboard an electric streetcar on rails.
The ‘Rail Trail’ Movement, Explained

Thousands of miles of railroad track, including some in Santa Cruz County, now sit idle. The fate of those largely abandoned tracks has become a burning controversy.

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11/08/2024
Image for display with article titled Caltrans to Hold Public Scoping Meetings

Four meetings regarding State Route 25 Corridor Improvement Project will be held in November.

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11/08/2024
Experts don’t know how much gas prices may rise from the revised California climate program, which tightens standards and gives incentives for low-carbon fuels. The board ordered an annual review of the cost impacts.

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11/07/2024
Image for display with article titled Highway 25 Improvement Plan Moves Forward

The Highway 25 improvement project will rebuild a section of the two-lane highway between San Felipe Rd and the Highway 25/101 interchange—around 11 miles total. The project is being managed by the Council of San Benito County Governments in partnership with Caltrans and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. 

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11/06/2024
Image for display with article titled Anger Over Death of Beloved Neighbor Brings Petition for Hwy 25 Change

Traffic barrier demanded in the wake of the head-on collision that killed Priscilla Jones.

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10/29/2024
California motorists buy and consume a billion gallons of gasoline each month and are very sensitive about pump prices, which are markedly higher than those in other states. Naturally, they are a political football.

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10/24/2024
Image for display with article titled Tree Removal to Close Hwy 101 Near Prunedale Starting Nov. 3

A project to remove eucalyptus trees along a one-mile segment of US 101 north of Prunedale near Rocks Road is set to begin Sunday Nov. 3.

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10/24/2024
The state air board will vote on changes to its landmark clean fuel program that would cut more greenhouse gases but could raise the cost of gas and diesel.

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10/16/2024
Tens of thousands of California ride-hailing drivers, and possibly more, could eventually get back pay after a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that clears the way for the state and some cities to proceed with their lawsuits against Uber and Lyft.

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10/11/2024
The state Senate signs off on Gov. Newsom’s bill to stop spikes in California gas prices. A final vote is scheduled on Monday.

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10/10/2024
Image for display with article titled Harvest Time Roadhouse to Suffer From Mitchell Road Closure

Adam Jones, owner of Hollister’s Harvest Time Roadhouse, had been looking forward to the reopening of the Union/Mitchell Road intersection on Hwy 156. Since Caltrans closed the access to Union Road on Aug. 15 to finish the newly built roadway between San Juan Bautista and Hollister,

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10/09/2024
Image for display with article titled Union Rd Reopening in Mid-October

After two months of being closed, the section of Union Road between Hwy 156 and San Juan Hollister Road west of Hollister will reopen in mid-October.

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10/08/2024
On Aug. 31, when Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special session on gas prices, California motorists were paying $4.61 per gallon on average, $1.27 more than the national average. On October 7, when the state Senate finally convened, prices were $4.68 in California, or $1.51 above the national average.

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10/07/2024
Image for display with article titled More EV Chargers Coming to Hollister

A new set of EV chargers is coming to Hollister, this time next to Taco Bell located on Tres Pinos Road.

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10/04/2024
Image for display with article titled Hwy 156 Traffic to Shift Expressway Lanes Oct. 11

Another major milestone will be reached on the State Route 156 Improvement Project as Caltrans will be shifting all SR 156 traffic onto the newly constructed expressway lanes, just south of the existing SR 156 on the night of October 10. The anticipated date for the traffic shift is weather permitting.On the morning of October 11, drivers traveling on eastbound SR 156 will be shifted to the new expressway lanes just east of The Alameda in San Juan Bautista. Drivers traveling on westbound SR 156 will be shifted to the new expressway lanes just west of Business 156/4th Street in Hollister.

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10/03/2024
Image for display with article titled San Martin Airport Day Is Oct. 26

The fourth annual San Martin Airport Day and Food Truck Fly-In is scheduled for 9am-3pm Oct. 26 at the San Martin Airport. The free event features aircraft demonstrations; food offerings from local food trucks; live music; aircraft on display; skydiving demonstrations; RC aircraft performances; meet-and-greets with local pilots and flight schools; classic car show; silent auction; tethered hot air balloon rides (weather permitting, in the early morning before the event); and a beer and wine garden.

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10/03/2024
Image for display with article titled Hollister Begins Roadway, Alley Improvements

The city of Hollister has begun work on its Citywide Roadway Improvement Project, which is set to improve and upgrade more than 18 lane miles of local streets and 40 curb ramps, and reconstruct 588 linear feet of sidewalks, according to city staff.

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10/03/2024
Image for display with article titled Gilroy DMV Office Reopens Oct. 14

The California Department of Motor Vehicles this week announced that the Gilroy office at 6984 Automall Parkway will reopen at 8am Oct. 14, following an extensive summer long renovation.

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10/01/2024
The Assembly approves Gov. Newsom’s bill on oil refineries on a 44-17 vote. But the state Senate will have its say during the special session.

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09/30/2024
Image for display with article titled Hollister Begins Road Projects

Recently, the City of Hollister began its 2024 City Wide Roadway Improvement Project to rehabilitate more than 18 lane miles of local streets, upgrade over 40 curb ramps, and reconstruct 588 linear feet of sidewalks.

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09/26/2024
The governor wants new gas reserves to dampen seasonal price spikes. Refiners say the move would raise prices and require new storage tanks.
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