Lane Changes

a cut above — City, county and Caltrans officials gathered Aug. 18 at the California Welcome Center to celebrate the opening of the new Cottonwood Hill Truck Climbing Project.

Caltrans recently wrapped up a $16.479 million dollar project that saw a third lane open over Cottonwood Hill. A new lane was installed in the north and southbound directions on Interstate 5 from Gas Point Road to Deschutes Road.

“This (was) a great project,” said Mayor Norma Comnick of the City of Anderson at a recent ribbon cutting ceremony held on Aug. 18 at the California Welcome Center. “It came in under budget and it ends right where our (new) off ramp and our roundabout will be.”

Construction on the project started in June of 2011, and while rain delayed the completion, it was still finished on schedule. Tullis Construction was the main contractor, but the entire project was a group effort between Caltrans, Shasta Regional Transportation Planning Agency, Shasta County and Tullis Construction. A portion of the project—$13.7 million—was funded by California’s Proposition 1B.

“The entire effort is a great example of working relationships,” said Supervisor Les Baugh of Shasta County.

“It definitely makes it an easier commute,” said truck owner Jason Lindell of Boyd Transportation Inc. in Cottonwood. Lindell uses the Gas Point on-ramp every day.

Those outside the trucking industry love it, too.

“I just came up the hill at 1:50 p.m. on a Thursday,” said Bill Price Jr., a Cottonwood resident. “Counted 10 trucks climbing the hill in two lanes ... cars passing in the new lane as well. Looked like a Friday afternoon! The extra lane really opened up the hill and, in my opinion, adds considerably to the safety. I’m impressed.”