Plan to extend Hwy 25 median into Santa Clara County gets preliminary nod

This article was written by BenitoLink intern Ariana Rivera. Lea este artículo en español aquí.

Following a Hwy 25 safety assessment by Caltrans, the transportation agency is recommending three safety enhancements on the northern end of the roadway, including installation of concrete barriers between the Hwy 101 interchange and the San Benito County line.

Historically, residents have voiced concern over safety issues on San Benito County’s primary artery to Silicon Valley. 

Caltrans announced their recommendations at a Mobility Partnership Meeting on May 21. 

Although the timeline of the project remained uncertain, the cost was estimated at $3.75 million, which will be funded by the State Highway Operation and Protection Program.

While the presentation cited the safety assessment, noting traffic accidents and fatalities, no data was provided. BenitoLink requested the data from Caltrans on May 22 and received it July 23.

According to Caltrans, from April 2019 until October 2024, there were 350 collisions, 12 of which resulted in fatalities and 14 in serious injuries. 

Members of the Mobility Partnership, which is made up of representatives from San Benito County, Hollister, Gilroy and Morgan Hill, discussed road safety and potentially continuing the median into Santa Clara County.

Caltrans representatives from both District 4, which serves Santa Clara County, and District 5, which serves San Benito County, explained what their offices had planned to increase safety measures on this corridor.

Caltrans District 4 Chief of Safety Lester Lee said that his office is looking to install a barrier between the Hwy 25 and 101 interchange into District 5 near the Trical facility, located near the Santa Clara/San Benito county line.

District 4 will also consider installing speed feedback signs, enhancing traffic signing and refreshing the striping on the road.

Caltrans District 5 Traffic Programs Office Chief and Safe Systems Lead Peter Hendrix said his office is expecting to upgrade the rumble strips, enhance pavement markings and make the barriers already in place more resilient.

Hwy 25 already includes a 4.5-mile stretch with concrete barriers, between the Trical facility and Hudner Lane.

A series of recent fatal crashes has reignited the concerns residents have been expressing for years. 

Most recently, Hollister resident and owner of Mmm Churros, Priscilla Jones, was killed in an October head-on collision on Highway 25 on her way to work.

Jones’ neighbor and friend Erica Morton started a petition, which reached over 5,000 signatures in just one week, demanding that those in power address resident concerns and make changes to the roadway.

While these changes are expected be more immediate, the regional transportation agency Council of San Benito County Governments and Caltrans continue to make plans to enhance the safety of Hwy 25 by expanding the road. The Caltrans website states that this project is not expected to be complete until about 2032.

Caltrans’ District 5 public information officer Heidi Crawford said that Caltrans is working closely with State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas to conduct public outreach, making the public aware of the actions now being taken.

The BenitoLink Internship Program is a paid, skill-building program that prepares local youth for a professional career. This program is supported by Monterey Peninsula Foundation AT&T Golf Tour, United Way, Taylor Farms and the Emma Bowen Foundation.

We need your help. Support local, nonprofit news! BenitoLink is a nonprofit news website that reports on San Benito County. Our team is committed to this community and providing essential, accurate information to our fellow residents. It is expensive to produce local news and community support is what keeps the news flowing. Please consider supporting BenitoLink, San Benito County’s public service, nonprofit news.