A Caltrans regional representative told the Calaveras Council of Governments on Nov. 5 that the California Transportation Commission approved $4.9 billion in state funding for local street, highway and bridge work, and that one regional project received a $1.2 million award for reconstruction of Buena Vista Road in Amador County.

The representative said the Buena Vista project will rehabilitate approximately two miles of roadway from the Calaveras County line to Comanche Parkway North, using cold‑planing of existing pavement followed by resurfacing and restriping to improve ride quality and safety. The presentation also noted a new separated bike path along State Route 49 in Plymouth — funded under the Clean California initiative — that includes drainage improvements, signage, striping and a crosswalk with flashing beacons.

Caltrans staff briefed the board on the Valley Springs project, reporting that pavement work is complete and curb, gutter and sidewalk construction is ongoing. Contractors were directed to avoid lane restrictions during peak traffic, and to mitigate dust through tarping and watering. The representative said a field review led to adjustments in traffic flow to reduce right‑turn backups.

Board members and local attendees raised several concerns during the presentation. They asked Caltrans to confirm that the Buena Vista work will include repairs to the Comanche Parkway intersection and pressed for prompt removal of temporary delineators in Angels Camp that have restricted left turns into businesses such as Mike’s Pizza. One board member said the owner reported $10,000 in lost revenue since the change in traffic patterns.

Safety concerns focused on temporary curb widths and school crossing points near Stanislaus Street in Angels Camp, where speakers said narrowed driveway approaches and altered crosswalk geometry had created confusion for pedestrians and drivers. Attendees also reported a weekend incident in which a temporary signal at a bridge project remained stuck on red for about 45 minutes, backing traffic up for nearly a mile; they asked Caltrans for a public contact or response plan for similarly long failures.

Caltrans said it is negotiating additional work in Murphy’s — including grinding, paving, rumble strips and pedestrian enhancements — and that in San Andreas the agency will remove proposed landscaping between Main and Court to preserve parking. Staff also said it will follow up about delineator removal and conduit for a fire‑department‑controlled signal at Valley Springs so emergency vehicles can operate signal control.

Board members commended progress on Valley Springs and noted that complaints have decreased as sidewalks and paving become visible on site. Caltrans offered to continue coordination with the COG on the regional transportation plan and follow up with local officials on the outstanding access and signal‑control items.