State Route 58 Widening Project - Bakersfield Freeways

Chapter 1 Introduction
• Minor changes, such as restriping approach lanes to provide an additional turn lane
on the side-street approaches to SR- 58, would be constructed at the cross streets
because SR- 58 would be wider.
• Utilities and drainage facilities would be relocated because of the wider roadway,
including above-ground utilities such as power poles, and storm drain inlets.
• Existing landscaping1 and irrigation would be replaced in the median along the
proposed project alignment if it is damaged by construction.
The depth of construction for the SR-58 widening is expected to be five feet or less in
all locations except where new bridge columns are required (at the west crossing of
the Calloway Canal and at the proposed overcrossing). In these locations, the
maximum depth of ground disturbance is expected to be about 45 feet from pile
driving (no major excavation).
San Joaquin Valley Railroad Grade Separation
The project proposes a grade separation over the San Joaquin Valley Railroad (rail line
between Mohawk Street and Landco Drive). The proposed grade separation would be
built on the current alignment for SR- 58. A temporary route on the north side of the
roadway would be provided during construction to maintain roadway function. In this
location, additional ROW would be required. Borrow material would be required for
the grade separation and would be environmentally cleared by the contractor.
No Build Alternative
The No Build Alternative would not provide any improvements to SR-58. Without the
proposed widening, the No Build Alternative does not address congestion and traffic
delays that could be expected as traffic volumes increase. Improvements that are
planned for other roadways as part of separate projects would still be built.
Figures 2A–2C show the footprint for the proposed project. All borrow, disposal,
staging, access, and utility relocations would be within the footprint identified in these
figures, or within nearby developed areas. Figures 2A–2C also show potential kit fox
dens and other observations near the project area. Dust-, erosion-, and
sediment-control measures will be developed at a later project design phase, but will
follow standard Best Management Practices (BMPs). Specific construction equipment
will also be determined at a later project design phase, but will follow standard
construction techniques.
1
Due to concerns regarding San Joaquin kit fox crossing the road, any landscaping planted will be
low-level (i.e., less than six inches) that does not require mowing.
State Route 58 Widening Project Biological Assessment 3