Loomis engineering: $1 million federal appropriation lands for Horseshoe Bar Road/I‑80 interchange; CIP updates and Brace Road contract advanced

Town staff confirmed that a $1,000,000 appropriation will be applied toward the Horseshoe Bar Road/I‑80 interchange project, and the town engineer presented a broader update on capital improvement planning and upcoming construction work.

Town Manager (read in reporting) and Council Member Cortez credited prior staff and Representative contacts for progressing the appropriation; engineering staff said the Horseshoe Bar/I‑80 scope remains in preliminary study and is under review with Caltrans, with the study slated for completion in June 2026.

Richard, representing the town engineering department, reviewed the two‑year CIP plan comprising 23 projects: seven completed, two in construction and 14 actively in design. He said the town is coordinating with regional partners to pursue additional grants, including SACOG funding opportunities and federal appropriations, and noted the town was identified as a potential EV‑charging site under a county “ZEV Ready” initiative.

Richard said the Brace Road rehabilitation contract will be awarded this month with construction expected to start next month; the Sierra de Montserrat horse trail is also entering construction. He described a pavement management program with Loomis average PCI about 65 (noting jurisdictional averages) and said staff will return with a CIP amendment and project recommendations in April.

No binding change to the Horseshoe Bar/I‑80 project budget was voted at the meeting; the appropriation notification was reported as a funding development the town will review for eligible uses once federal guidance on allowable expenditures is received.