Construction on the long-awaited Caldecott Tunnel Extension project-the two-lane fourth bore to be constructed north of the existing three bores-is expected to begin by the end of this year or early in 2010. Assemblymember Nancy Skinner, who represents the 14th District which includes Berkeley, Orinda, Lafayette, and Moraga, and Caltrans (the California Department of Transportation) will host a community meeting on the Caldecott Tunnel construction project at the Orinda Community Center on December10th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Caltrans project officials will be available to address questions regarding the construction plans, schedule, timeline, and community impacts.
Completion of the $420 million fourth bore is projected for winter of 2013 to 2014. Approximately 45% of the project funding ($192 million) comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-the economic stimulus package enacted by the U.S. Congress in February of this year. The addition of the fourth bore will eliminate the need for the daily tunnel lane reversals and merges and is anticipated to improve travel times, reduce delays, and enhance safety for motorists and Caltrans maintenance workers.
The Caldecott Tunnel Construction Community Meeting will be held on Thursday, December 10th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Founders Auditorium at the Orinda Community Center, 28 Orinda Way, Orinda.