California Highways (www.cahighways.org): Route 221

Soscal Junction Flyover (04-Nap-221, PM 0.0/0.4)

029 Soscol Napa Roundabouts In April 2016, it was reported that the proposed Soscol Junction flyover at Route 29 and Route 221 southeast of the grape crusher statue might become the proposed Soscol Junction roundabouts. Although the $40 million flyover joining southbound Route 221 to southbound Route 29 remains the preferred option to unsnarl the rush-hour backups caused by traffic signal red lights at this key intersection, Caltrans will allow the Napa Valley Transportation Authority and city of Napa to spend a few month exploring whether a double-roundabout design could handle the traffic. The roundabouts would be on either side of Route 29 and serve as the onramps and offramps. They would also allow traffic to take a road passing under or above Route 29 as a link between Route 221 and Soscol Ferry Road. NTVA will spend about $40,000 studying the roundabouts option, with the city of Napa providing the engineering work.
(Source: Napa Valley Register, 4/23/2016)

The 2018 STIP, approved at the CTC March 2018 meeting, appears to change the allocation for this project from $6.3M to $12.819M (Caltrans + Napa TPA), with R/W acquisition and PS&E occuring in FY19-20. This project is at the intersection of Route 12, Route 29, and Route 221. Partial grade separation improvements

In August 2018, it was reported that Caltrans and the Napa Valley Transportation Authority were looking for opinions on the particular roundabout approach to take at Soscol Junction. The issue is: one large roundabout or two smaller ones. No roundabouts would be on Route 29 itself. The highway would rise up on an overpass, no longer burdened with the traffic signals that cause long backups. Underneath the overpass is where the roundabout or roundabouts would be. They would control traffic as it enters Route 29 either northbound or southbound or travels between Soscol Ferry Road and Route 221. California created Soscol Junction in 1981 as part of its Southern Crossing project when it opened the nearby Butler Bridge for Route 29. Before that, highway traffic traveled up the east side of the Napa Valley, took Imola Avenue west and then continued on to Sonoma County or Upvalley. The original idea in the 1970s was to have an interchange from the start at Soscol Junction. But money for the project proved tight and transportation officials settled for the cheaper solution of traffic signals. By 2002, Napa County officials were talking about the flyover solution. Now the idea has turned into roundabouts, with the two possible configurations.
(Source: Napa Valley Register, 8/19/2018)

In October 2019, it was reported that a steep rise in the estimated cost for the proposed, congestion-busting Soscol Junction project isn’t sinking building plans. The estimated price has risen from $40 million to $64 million. Napa Valley Transportation Authority Executive Director Kate Miller said the plan is still to break ground in 2021. The longer Soscol Junction is delayed, the more the project will cost, an agency report said. Soscol Junction is the intersection of Route 29 and Route 221/Soscol Ferry Road east of the Butler Bridge and Grapecrusher statue. The plan is to raise Route 29 on an overpass and remove the traffic signals so traffic keeps flowing. Route 221/Soscol Ferry Road beneath the overpass would have two roundabouts to regulate through traffic and traffic entering and leaving Route 29. Route 29 would not have a roundabout. NVTA for several years has listed a price estimate of $35 million to $40 million. A new report pegs it at $64 million, with $50 million needed for construction. The project has been in the environmental phase for years and construction costs rise 3 percent to 6 percent annually. Caltrans recently released the draft environmental document, so that phase is nearing an end. Additionally, competition for construction engineering companies that do this type of work is adding to the estimated cost. The NVTA Board of Directors last week authorized Miller to seek a $20-million advance in regional transportation improvement program money for Soscol Junction. This state money comes to the county in two-year cycles for local transportation projects. The 2020 cycle has $2 million available for new projects. Napa County would tie up several cycles of funding. It would forgo using this money source for other, smaller transportation projects for years to come in exchange for the large, signature Soscol Junction project. Another potential Soscol Junction funding source is regional state bridge toll hikes approved by voters in 2018, though this money is frozen because of a court case challenging the increases. Still another possible source is a grant related to 2017’s Senate Bill 1, which raised state fuel taxes and vehicles fees.
(Source; Napa Valley Register, 10/30/2019, updated 11/6/2019)

In March 2020, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding a project on Route 29 (04-Nap-29, PM R5.6/R6.7) and Route 221 (04-Nap-221, PM 0.0/0.4) in Napa County. Reconfigure an
existing intersection in Napa County. (PPNO 0376). This project is located on Route 29 and Route 221 in Napa County and proposes to reconfigure the existing intersection (Soscol Junction) of Route 29 and Route 221/Soscol Ferry Road in Napa County from a signalized intersection to a full-diamond interchange, with two roundabout intersections on either side of Route 29. This proposed project is to improve traffic operations to alleviate congestion between Napa Valley and towards Interstate I-80 and Route 37. This project is not fully funded; it is currently programmed in the 2018 STIP for $12,819,000 in
regional shares for various components. Construction is estimated to begin in 2022. The scope, as described for the preferred alternative, is consistent with the project scope programmed by the Commission in the 2018 STIP.
(Source: March 2020 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.2c.(1))

In March 2020, the CTC approved the 2020 STIP, which increased the programmed funding for PPNO 0376 Rt 12/29/221 Soscol intersection separation (SB1), from $9,819K to $29,819K, with the bulk being in FY21.22.
(Source: March 2020 CTC Agenda, Item 4.7, 2020 STIP Adopted 3/25/2020)

In December 2020, it was reported that the CTC approved a $25 million allocation through the Solutions for Congested Corridors program to complete a $64 million funding package and begin construction in 2021 of a double roundabout at the Soscol Junction of Route 29 and Route 221 south of Napa. The improvements will relieve a traffic bottleneck that has long bedeviled residents, workers and tourists to Napa’s famous wine region, and will also deliver important safety and active transportation benefits to the area.
(Source: The Bay Link, 12/3/2020)

In June 2021, the CTC approved amending the STIP to use the funding available through the 2021 Mid-Cycle STIP and share distribution of the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 funds (COVID Relief Funds) to increase funding for a project already in the STIP as follows: Route 12/Route 29/Route 221 Soscol Junction Intersection Separation Project (PPNO 0376); program $739K to the CON Support phase in FY 2021-22.
(Source: June 2021 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.1a.(19))

In October 2021, the CTC approved the following State-Administered multi-funded STIP/SB 1 Solutions for Congested Corridors Program (SCCP)/Local Partnership Program (LPP) (Formulaic) allocation/amendment: $49,580,000. 04-Nap-29 5/6.7. PPNO 04-0376; ProjID 0400000769; EA 28120. Soscol Junction (Route 29/Route 221/Soscol Ferry Road). On Route 29 at Route 221 In Napa County. Operational improvement located at the intersection of Route 29/Route 221/Soscol Ferry Road. Allocation:COVID RIP/21-22 ⇛ CON ENG $739,000. SCCP/21-22 ⇛ CONST $25,000,000. LPP-F/21-22 ⇛ CON ENG $422,000. RIP/21-22 ⇛ CON ENG $864,000; CONST ~~$23,419,000~~ $22,555,000. (Future consideration of funding approved under Resolution E-20-15; March 2020.) (Contribution from other sources: $3,714,000 for CON ENG)
(Source: October 2021 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5s.(7)/2.5v.(5))

In June 2022, it was reported that the groundbreaking for this project had taken place for the $54 million Soscol Junction construction project at the entrance to Napa Valley. The project will elevate Route 29, and create two roundabouts underneath to regulate Route 221 and Soscol Ferry Road traffic. The roundabouts will control traffic getting on and off the highway. This is similar to what was done for the intersection of I-80 and Route 89 near Truckee. Commuters and drivers over the next two years or so can expect constant change at Soscol Junction. Initial steps include putting a concrete K-rail in the median and shoulders to protect workers and doing stormwater work, according to Ghilotti Construction Co. Following this will be a series of traffic shifts, lane closures, ramp closures and detours as the project winds through five stages with numerous sub-stages. The main thrust of Route 29 traffic should keep moving. But various connections between Route 29, Route 221, and Soscol Ferry Road will be closed at times, often during non-peak traffic hours. Drivers might find themselves going through the nearby business park and airport industrial area. Instead of making a quick turn at the intersection, they’ll take an off-the-beaten-track side trip. Peak delay for extended closures is estimated to be less than 10 minutes. Caltrans will inform the public as each stage and sub-stage brings about specific ramp and lane closures.
(Source: ＄ Napa Valley Register, 6/22/2022; ＄ 9Nc--20C3KbDAuPoHhLkjqYWlB6tDkrOifTG9kqBnScdrY">Napa Valley Register, 7/28/2022)

In July 2023, it was reported that in June 2023 MTC last month formally approved the first allocations of Regional Measure 3 dollars, releasing over $270 million for nine projects for which the sponsors already were moving ahead under Letters of No Prejudice. These initial allocations included: Napa Valley Transportation Authority: $20 million for upgrades to the Route 29 Soscol Junction near Napa.
(Source: MTG/ABAG Bay Link Blog, 7/12/2023)

In August 2023, it was reported that construction has started on the key Soscol Junction bridge at the entrance to Napa Valley on Route 29. This bridge will carry Route 29 traffic over Route 221, eliminating a traffic signal. Two giant roundabouts are being created below the bridge to regulate traffic getting on and off Route 29. Napa County’s biggest transportation project in a decade is rapidly taking shape before a captive audience of commuters and travelers. Caltrans officials say motorists could be driving on a finished, $54 million Soscol Junction by mid-2024. Motorists won't have to wait until the completion of Soscol Junction to get to use the bridge. Northbound traffic is scheduled to be shifted onto the structure in December. Southbound lanes could shift to the bridge early in 2024. As for the roundabouts, they should be fully open to motorists in spring or summer 2024, with partial openings to allow the use of new Route 29 on-ramps in fall 2023.The traffic signal will be removed when the roundabouts are fully opened. The ultimate plan is to someday create an interchange at the Route 29 and Route 12 entrance to Jameson Canyon as well. But money must be found for what amounts to another Soscol Junction-scale project.
(Source: Napa Valley Register, 8/9/2023)

In March 2024, the CTC approved a request for an additional $1,600,000 (99.8% increase) in Construction Support for the following State-Administered multi-funded STIP/SCCP/LPP (Formulaic) Project: 04-Nap-29 5/6.7. PPNO 04-0376; ProjID 0400000769; EA 28120. Soscol Junction (Route 29/Route 221/Soscol Ferry Road). On Route 29 at Route 221 In Napa County. Operational improvement located at the intersection of Route 29/Route 221/Soscol Ferry Road. The project’s cost increase is due additional work to address differing site conditions, weather delays, utility protection, and environmental restrictions. The components that have been completed to date include the Route 29/Route 221 separation bridge and roadway approach embankments, two roundabouts, and two out of the four ramps. During construction, the project encountered several storm events in December 2022 and January 2023 that prolonged the construction activities and damaged existing pavement. This resulted in extended weekend closure to perform emergency pavement repairs. In December 2023, the project experienced differing site conditions for unsuitable soil under the existing roadway and median of Route 29. Additional resources were necessary for geotechnical investigations and design revisions, consisting of over excavating and replacing the unsuitable material with three layers of geotextile fabric and 8 inches of aggregate base rock. In April 2023, two active bird nests were discovered within the project limits. To comply with California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Incidental Take Permit requirements, additional resources were necessary on extended biological monitoring and construction work near active nests was suspended. Once the birds fledged and the nests became inactive, additional resources were necessary to accelerate work and mitigate delays through longer shifts and working over the weekends. The City’s existing 24-inch water line within the project limit is to be protected in place. In September 2022, coordination efforts were longer than anticipated to confirm exact depth and alignment and to install appropriate protection in place. Lastly, in September 2023, additional resources were needed to resolve inconsistencies with the contract plans, which included rock excavation, drainage, roadway conform grades, electrical installation, and ditch excavations. Due to these events and changes that have resulted in additional work, the project will need additional resources in the amount of $1,600,000 to complete the remaining construction activities of the project and open the interchange to the traveling public by September 2024, followed by two-year plant establishment period with CCA target of September 2026.
(Source: March 2024 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5e.(9))

In September 2024, it was reported that a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa for the Route 29/Route 221 Soscol Junction Interchange Project in southern Napa County. The three-year, $56.7 million project replaces the signalized intersection of Route 29, Route 221 and Soscol Ferry Road with an interchange composed of an overpass and two roundabouts, a configuration that will add fluidity to traffic flow and reduce congestion. This accounts for two decades of planning. The Project also includes a class I facility to accommodate bicycles and pedestrians through the intersection. The project received $19.3 million from the Solutions for Congested Corridors Program and $422 thousand from Local Partnership Program, both created and funded by the Road Repair Accountability Act of 2017, also known as Senate Bill 1. Unlike a typical interchange with an elevated overpass where motorists make inter-route connections, most motorists at Soscol Junction will make connections at surface level on roundabouts, which will be hardscaped using the colors of the encompassing area. Caltrans landscaped the area with local plants, including oaks whose canopies will visually screen the interchange from distant onlookers. In addition to SB1 funding, the project is funded with $33.2 million in State and regional funds $3.7 million in local funds.
(Source: Napa Patch, 9/17/2024)

In June 2020, it was reported that it turns out the county must add a traffic signal on Route 221 when it builds the new jail near the Syar quarry (~ NAP 1.709). The signal is called for in the project environmental impact report. Board of Supervisors Chair Diane Dillon thought she had a better idea for this major south county commute road. She’d like to see a roundabout. Otherwise, traffic on Route 221 would have to stop for a red light when even a single vehicle is leaving the jail main entrance. Public Works Director Steven Lederer said the county has a tight budget for the jail. Taking a step back and trying to turn a planned signal into a roundabout at this point could be problematic.
(Source: ＄ Napa Valley Register, 6/20/2020)