Evolution of Holland Road Overpass has twists, turns

By Doug Spoon, Editor

While crews work on the final phases on the way to expected completion this spring of the Scott Road Freeway Interchange, groundbreaking for Menifee’s next freeway project is on track for the summer of 2021.

The Holland Road Overpass project will begin on time as long as it continues to receive its share of funding from Measure DD, said City Engineer Jonathan Smith this week. The Measure DD 1 percent sales tax for public safety – including road improvements – has an estimated $10.6 million revenue in this year’s city budget and is expected to generate $11.2 million in 2020-21.

Measure DD also helps fund other road projects as well as a large portion of the new Menifee Police Department budget. But while exact figures of the Measure DD funding devoted to the Holland Overpass is not known, that funding is expected to complete the estimated $27 million cost of the project.

The Holland Road project will connect sections of that road that currently end on both sides of the 215 Freeway. There will be no freeway ramps, but the additional option for motorists to cross the freeway will help relieve some of the congestion on Newport Road and Scott Road. The timeline for the project calls for it to be complete sometime in 2023.

The City of Menifee’s original design contract with TY Lin International, Inc. was set to expire last June. Even though city officials say the majority of the design of the project is completed, the City Council last May approved an extension of the contract to allow for final planning. Meanwhile, Smith said, negotiations with property owners on the west side of the freeway to clear a path for the landing spot of the bridge and for construction easements is proceeding well.

Some residents on social media still question the completion of the Newport Road and Scott Road freeway interchange expansions before the start of the Holland Road Overpass. Adding another freeway bridge first seems logical, but was never possible because of funding issues, city officials have often pointed out.

The Newport Road and Scott Road projects received funding from state and regional entities that were designated for those projects specifically and were not offered to the Holland Road Overpass. The reasons for this?

-- Newport Road is a major roadway that takes motorists from Hemet all the way to Lake Elsinore. That put it at the top of the list of Menifee freeway bridge improvements in the eyes of Riverside County and Caltrans officials, who were working on this before the City of Menifee incorporated in 2008.

-- An estimated $19 million of the funding for the Newport Road Interchange came from the county's TUMF (Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee) program, which according to the TUMF website, "ensures that new development pays its fair share for the increased traffic that it creates." Newport Road is the most heavily traveled road in Menifee and experienced an increase in traffic because of the new homes built by developers who contributed to that fund.

-- Scott Road was considered second in priority to Newport (and ahead of Holland) for its regional importance as an east-west traffic route as well. Riverside County’s contribution of $15 million to complete funding of the Scott Road project is evidence of regional officials’ commitment to its timely completion.

Thus the City of Menifee was much more on its own to raise funds for the Holland Road project than the other projects.

Another apparent reason for residents’ frustration with the delay in starting the Holland Road Overpass was their stated belief that it was "promised" by city officials. Actually, the only promise was one made by Scott Mann as a major part of his campaign platform when running for mayor in 2012. In reality, the Holland Road Overpass was not considered the top priority at the time, for the reasons stated above.

"Holland Road should be the No. 1 project," Mann said during a Candidates Forum sponsored by Menifee 24/7 on Sept. 26, 2012. “I was one who argued to get the Holland overpass project in the plans originally.

"We have three east-west arterials in town: Scott, Newport and McCall. If they begin working on Newport without having the Holland Overpass first, can you imagine what a traffic mess it will be?"

The slogan “Build Holland First” was used on Mann’s campaign signs that year. Granted, the construction of the Newport Road Interchange first was considered a "traffic mess" in many ways. It appears, however, that the "Holland First" promise was never a realistic one.

In a May 2013 public workshop, City consultant Shawn Nelson told City Council members and residents that ranking the Holland Road project behind Newport and Scott on the priority list was justified based on need, available funding and project readiness.

When Mann ran for re-election in 2014, he tried to rationalize his failed “Build Holland First” promise two years prior.

"It wasn’t obvious to me that the bridge wouldn’t be built soon because when I was on the inaugural council, I helped get the Holland Road overpass on the county transportation improvement plan and when I left the council and came back during the campaign trail for mayor, I hadn’t realized that the council between me being there and now kind of let the ball drop," Mann said during a 2014 Candidates Forum.

The Holland Road Overpass will have two lanes running in each direction. Antelope Road will pass under the bridge as it rises to travel over the freeway.

Holland Road, which now dead-ends into Antelope Road at Interstate 215 looking west, will elevate over that road and the freeway. File photo