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Citing more extensive environmental impacts, Caltrans is recommending the Council of San Benito County Governments (COG) abandon a Hwy 25 expansion project alternative that would include a four-lane expressway between San Felipe Road and Hudner Lane along the current route.
Instead, Caltrans now recommends further studies for a conventional four-lane highway for that area as part of its environmental studies. Conventional highways have more entry and exit points and intersections than an expressway.
The COG board is expected to take action at its April 16 meeting scheduled for 4 p.m in the San Benito County Board of Supervisors chambers, 481 Fourth Street, Hollister. COG is made up of elected officials from Hollister, San Juan Bautista and San Benito County and is spearheading the project to widen Hwy 25 between San Felipe Road to the San Benito-Santa Clara county line
“A vernal pool supporting sensitive plant and amphibious species exists along the proposed footprint of alternative 9, in addition to other impacts on homes, businesses, and farmland,” the agenda for the April 16 meeting states.
The project covers four alternatives using a new alignment approved in 2016:
- 4-lane expressway
- 3-lane expressway with a reversible lane in the middle
- 2-lane expressway
- 2-lane transit only busway
Other alternatives include a reversible bus lane adjacent to the Union Pacific rail line and developing a new passenger rail service on the existing rail.
The proposal to widen Hwy 25 has been in the works for more than a decade and includes Santa Clara County’s Valley Transportation Authority widening its section of Hwy 25.
In 2025, COG added two alternatives to the expansion project using the existing route after a group of local farmers and property owners opposed the route adopted in 2016, saying the area between San Felipe Road and the Hwy 25-156 intersection either killed their business or significantly hurt them. Other property owners along the current route oppose widening that section because of the impacts to their homes.
COG is funding the Hwy 25 project primarily through a 30-year, 1% sales tax approved by voters in 2018. At the time, COG estimated it would create $485 million in 30 years, with $242 allotted to the Hwy 25 expansion project and the rest going to local road and safety projects.
As of the 2024-25 fiscal year, the tax has raised $75 million, doubling what it was estimated to raise.
The project’s website states that additional money will be needed to fully fund the project.
It also states that COG is pursuing the widening of 10.2 miles of the highway to remedy safety concerns, including fatal and serious injury collisions, improve travel time and meet current and future travel demands.
The current timeline sets the beginning of construction in 2031. Meanwhile, Caltrans is conducting other safety improvements, which will also be discussed at the April 16 meeting.
According to the COG staff report, these projects are in the project initiation/development phase. Construction is expected to begin as early as 2029 and is funded through the State Highway Operation and Protection Program.
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