More than 300 homes and businesses will likely be wiped out here in Bakersfield to put in the new Centennial Corridor Freeway which connects the east and west parts of town.
Caltrans announced it's suggested Alternative B as the best choice. It would extend Highway 58 to the Westside Parkway at Truxtun and eventually out to the northwest. Caltrans says the other alternatives would have cut through a historic area and parks which are protected by law.
"Most of the alternatives have pretty significant impacts to the residential and the businesses," said Steven Milton, Caltrans Project Manager of the Centenial Project. "Alt C seems to be more business-oriented impacts. Alt A actually has most residential impact."
However, Alternative B is in the path of 310 homes and 120 businesses. Home and business owners would be given fair market value for their homes along with moving expenses.
The draft environmental document should come out in April.
There is a public meeting on Thursday, December 6th to discuss the alternative. The meeting takes place at the Kern County administrative building from 4 to 7 p.m.
