Caltrans is engaged in a number of projects in the Mono Basin that the Mono Lake Committee is watching closely. Between 2000-2002 the agency widened the two-lane stretch of Highway 395 south of Lee Vining to four lanes (seven lanes wide for the quarter-mile between Highway 120 and Lee Vining). In addition, Caltrans planned to widen the highway along Mono Lake north of Lee Vining, creating eight-foot shoulders and improving several turnouts for better viewing of the lake. Separately, the town of Lee Vining has secured funds to plan a "Main Street" project, focused on visual improvements and pedestrian safety. Because the highway widening projects on either side of town will likely increase the speed of traffic in town, the Main Street improvements are timely, and will be designed to counter this increase.

Mono Lake Widening Project
(Project suspended 10/18/04)

Caltrans' suspended Mono Lake Highway Widening Project would widen 395 from north of Lee Vining to approximately the Mono Inn. Given Caltrans' performance on the Rush Creek Project - environmental violations and excessive disturbance- the Committee thinks this project must be done correctly or not at all. The draft EIR is a disappointment and does not address many of our concerns with the project. Based on Caltrans' inability to demonstrate it can properly analyze or construct this project, we are urging Caltrans to select the no-build alternative.

Click here for background.

 

Rush Creek Project
(Construction completed August 2003; Problems ongoing.)

 The Rush Creek Project extends seven miles along Highway 395 from Lee Vining south to just past Rush Creek. Caltrans expanded the existing 2-lane highway to a 4-lane divided highway. The scope of the project changed significantly from what was originally planned resulting in unanticipated damage. After the Committee reported what appeared to be water quality violations, two regulatory agencies - Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board and Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District - issued citations to Caltrans for environmental damage. Stormwater runoff since the project construction was completed continues to result in impacts to the hillside below Lee Vining and Lee Vining Creek.

Click here for background.

Lee Vining Sidewalk Project
(Sidewalks constructed; street trees coming soon)

After years of planning, this project was finally finished in 2002. The goals are to make Highway 395 through Lee Vining a more inviting and attractive place to visit, walk, live, and work, and to make Highway 395 through Lee Vining a safer and easier place to be a pedestrian. While the project will improve the appearance of Lee Vining, it falls well short of the original goals envisioned back in 1997. The County has helped offset this disappointment by securing grants that will fund sidewalk trees and decorative street lighting in town.

Click here for background.


Back to Policy Page

boleft.jpg (5147 bytes) Mono Lake Home Mono Lake Committee Members' Section Help the Mono Lake Committee Recent news at Mono Lake Table of Contents Search the Mono Lake site boright.jpg (5170 bytes)