"A $1 billion plan to raise the height of the dam at one of California's largest reservoirs, San Luis Reservoir between Gilroy and Los Banos, to provide more water to Santa Clara County and parts of the Central Valley during droughts, has received a major and unusual boost: The cost has gone down. In an era when large public works projects, from high speed rail to new reservoirs, have seen big jumps in price,"
"The reason: In recent months Caltrans endorsed a cheaper alternative for how a section of Highway 152, a busy road adjacent to the reservoir, will be raised and rebuilt to accommodate the higher water level. This is incredibly favorable news, said Scott Petersen, a spokesman for the San Luis and Delta Mendota Water Authority, which is overseeing the project. This means the water is going to be more affordable."
"Already the fifth-largest reservoir in the California, San Luis would expand by 130,000 acre feet enough water for 650,000 people a year under the project, which calls for raising its 382-foot earthen dam by 10 feet to store more water during wet years. Construction is expected to start in 2028 or 2029. Santa Clara County residents would be the main beneficiaries."
Project cost fell about 20% from $1.06 billion to $847 million after Caltrans endorsed a cheaper Highway 152 redesign. The plan raises San Luis Reservoir's 382-foot earthen dam by 10 feet to add 130,000 acre-feet, enough water for about 650,000 people annually. Construction is expected to begin in 2028 or 2029. Santa Clara County would receive the largest share; the Santa Clara Valley Water District previously planned to contribute $511 million and to receive 63,560 acre-feet, roughly three Lexington Reservoirs. The federal Bureau of Reclamation would receive 39,000 acre-feet, and five other agencies would split the remaining 27,440 acre-feet.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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