MOMMY.....CAN I GO PLAY ON THE FREEWAY???

I can now say that I've been to a ribbon cutting ceremony.  And this one was meaningful because we, as a community living 'up the hill',  have been driving past the destruction and construction for the past 18 months.  This phase 2 bypass was completed 8 months ahead of time, with a lot of that credit going to agreeable weather.  Certain elements were left out because of budget cuts but will be completed with time.  One mentioned was the Peaceful Oak(s) interchange.

As are all events out on an overpass with a portable public address system, it was pretty much impossible to hear most of what was said by the various speakers.  All we very interesting however--with what I could hear.  I'm going to let my photos speak the 1000 words (or more) I couldn't hear!

 

 Vintage cars, waiting for the signal to be the first to drive across the new Hwy 108 before it is open to the public.  Official opening to the public is supposed to be about 3:00 p.m., this afternoon, November 1st.  We got to drive across it around 2:15-2:30.

 MyMotherLode.com was there!

 Cal Trans workers walking toward the ceremony spot.

 Awesome vintage cars from these to 50's and 60's cars and pickups.

 View from the overcrossing.  It's wa-a-a-y up there!

 Beautiful day to enjoy the scenery and check out the erosion control precautions.

 North side of the bypass.

 South West side of the bridge.

 Cal Trans team.

Before the ceremony, one last sweep of the roadway.

 Part of the crowd.

 Finally, the ribbon is cut by Ron Stearns, 49 year member of the Sonora City Council.  He has been a part of all phases of the Highway 108 improvements.

Lt. R. Scott Clamp, of the California Highway Patrol.

 Beginning the drive over the new-to-us roadway.  The crews have done quite a job!

 Driving over Peaceful Oaks Rd.  It's interesting to see where new road will take over.

 What?  District 3 Supervisor Evan Royce hitch hiking?  No!  He was just checking something out.

Return trip East, back up towards Mi Wuk.  Unless we're going on business, this will be the last drive up this part of the highway for awhile.  The remaining roadway, from Hess (I think) to Via Este, will be renamed Mono Way.  Highway 108 will henceforth be the new road.

It was fun and I'd do it again.  Once in a life time for this section of road.
 WOOHOO!!!

And now, here's some more information from MyMotherLode.com

November 01, 2013    02:58 pm    Sabrina Ambler, MML News Reporter

Sonora, CA - Tuolumne County motorists can start driving on the new section of the East Sonora Bypass today. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at 1:00pm today and the road is scheduled to be open to the public to drive at 3:00pm. The CHP noted that the speed limit on the bypass is 55 miles per hour. 

The first person to officially drive across the bypass was Sonora City Council member Ron Stearn. Stearn was recognized for his 49 years of City Council service. Accolades were given to the Project Managers and all the members who helped complete the project, including the public for investing $54 million in state and local funds. Caltrans and the Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC) finished the project eight months sooner than expected.

Tuolumne County Transportation Council Executive Director Darin Grossi says, "The Standard/ Peaceful Oak area is a major commercial area with a lot of money ready to be invested in the area with jobs that will build our economy."

CalTrans Director Malcolm Dougherty says the new section is "going to cut on travel times back and forth but really what is important for me is the safety benefits." He says, "[We] are really making it a much easier drive and reducing a lot of the conflicts." He also says, "It's an important route; important to the Mother Lode and to the Sierra and then the connection down into the central valley."

The Highway is used by more than 20,000 motorists daily. [I heard 25,000.] A dry winter last year combined with efficient management allowed the road to open ahead of schedule. The local community was thanked by project officials for enduring the construction delays during the entire 18 month process. There remains a third phase and an on-off ramp at Standard to complete.