History and Organization of the Thomas Roads Improvement Program
In 2005, Bakersfield was listed as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Several years of unprecedented growth, coupled with the area’s expanding role as a central hub for goods movement and interregional travel, was placing considerable strain on the metropolitan transportation network. But it had been nearly 30 years since a significant federal allocation had been made for a major highway project.
Recognizing that area roadways could not handle current needs, let alone future growth, Congressman William M. Thomas secured $722 million for major Kern County transportation projects in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The legislation included $630 million for projects that focus on improving regional mobility, stimulating economic growth and development, and reducing travel time in the greater Bakersfield area. The projects identified for funding included:
Bakersfield Beltway System $140 million
Centennial Corridor 330 million
State Route 178 Improvements 100 million
Rosedale Highway/24th Street Improvements 60 million
In June 2005, the City of Bakersfield and Caltrans signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), in which both parties agreed to work together and commit the necessary resources to complete the federally-funded projects in a timely manner. The roles and responsibilities for both agencies were defined in a Cooperative Agreement signed in January 2006, with the City agreeing to perform program management responsibilities. In February 2006, the City of Bakersfield hired Parsons -- an international engineering, construction, and project management services firm -- to assist with program management.
The TRIP partnership includes the County of Kern and Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG). The organization’s offices, located at 900 Truxtun Avenue in Bakersfield, now includes 30 full-time staff members from the City, County, Caltrans and Parsons. Each of these organizations have additional personnel working on various components of TRIP projects.
One of TRIP’s initial tasks was to interview and select qualified consultants to move each project through its particular phase of project development. Consultants were first selected to complete final design of the Westside Parkway, the Mohawk Street Extension and the 7th Standard Widening Project. Consultant teams were then selected for those projects requiring preliminary engineering and environmental studies.
Construction has been completed on the SR 178/Fairfax Road interchange, SR/99 7th Standard Road interchange, 7th Standard Road Widening, 7th Standard Road grade separation at Santa Fe Way and Westside Parkway Phase 1 (Mohawk Street Extension). Construction is underway on Westside Parkway Phase 2 (Mohawk Street to Allen Road), Westside Parkway Phase 4 (Truxtun Tie-in), and Westside Parkway Phase 6a (utility relocation and bypass at Allen Road)
