After several delays, the month-long closure for bypass construction at the intersection of Airline Highway and Sunnyslope Road is scheduled to start Monday.
The detour at one of Hollister's busiest intersections will last until Aug. 19 - the day after most local schools begin classes, said Mary Dinkuhn, Council of Governments planning manager.
The detour will allow construction crews from Graniterock Pavex to complete one of the final steps in the $49 million Highway 25 bypass project.
"This is the last big thing before we're done," Dinkuhn said. "There are still a lot of little things, but this is what we've been waiting for."
The bypass, when done, will reroute Highway 25 through Hollister's east side instead of downtown on San Benito Street. Dinkuhn said the bypass is set to open in October.
"We still have to paint and stripe the roads and build several sidewalks," Dinkuhn said. "But we're coming right along."
The closure had been rescheduled several times in the last two months while crews and officials dealt with hang-ups such as moving Pacific Gas & Electric power lines that were in the way of construction.
Residents were mostly positive about the closure. Larry Otis, owner of the Broken Wing, called the construction a "necessary evil."
"The closure is unfortunate for all the people who live down there and have to drive through the intersection every day," Otis said. "I just hope they can bang it out and get it out of the way."
Linda Keller of Hollister said she isn't too worried about the closure affecting her driving habits but that she's still unsure whether the bypass would help the city.
"On hand you're going to lose traffic from people who might stop here on their way through," Keller said. "On the other hand, it will give people who walk more room to get around."
Curtis Cartier Curtis Cartier covers the City of Hollister and public safety for the Free Lance. Reach him at (831) 637-5566 or email him.
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