Murphys, CA…More than a third of a rural community’s residents have signed a petition about a new median they deem dangerous.

Residents of Murphys and surrounding areas have grown increasingly concerned about a concrete median that seemed to appear overnight on a major thorough-fare along CA State Road 4. With no input from the businesses nor residents impacted, Caltrans chose to place the median citing safety reasons – although no evidence has been provided and the local sheriff’s department has conflicting statistics. After eleven weeks of frustration an online petition was created on Sunday and has garnered more than 1,500 signatures; it continues to gain traction. (https://c.org/sFXybLm5d9)

“We’ve only posted the petition on social media, we have plans for road signage, fliers, media coverage, and a protest at the corner – we expect to double the signatures,” commented the petition’s co-creator, Tricia Slavik, Murphys resident. “We are frightened and frankly, angry that Caltrans has made our road less safe.”

Through the efforts of Calaveras Board of Supervisors District 3 representative, Martin Huberty, CA and State Senator Maria Alvarado-Gil, along with the outcry of their constituents, Caltrans agreed to “improve but not remove” the median. The “improvements” have, in fact, worsened the situation and created an extremely hazardous situation for drivers, pedestrians, large trucks and school buses – where one did not exist before the median was placed.

The lane’s abrupt curvature and reduced shoulder width reportedly fail to meet Caltrans’ own minimum design specifications for state highways of this type. In some sections, the lane’s layout pushes vehicles dangerously close to pedestrians at a local market entrance, leaving little room for driver error or emergency maneuvers.

“The new lane Caltrans created is actually a shoulder at a precarious angle; school buses tip into it and the children are thrown to the right side of the bus,” commented Jason Lewis, the manager of the local school district’s transportation department.

Residents have reported near collisions, especially involving larger vehicles such as logging trucks, fuel delivery trucks, and recreational trailers that struggle to maneuver through and around the median. Drivers also complain that the lane markings are confusing – with inconsistent striping that takes drivers well off the highway and into oncoming traffic.

Additionally, in a town where wildfire evacuation routes are vital, the existence of this concrete median creates a choke point that restricts emergency access when it’s needed most.

Community members are calling for an independent safety audit of the project and urging Caltrans to bring the westbound lane into compliance with state standards, and also rethink the project altogether. Locals argue that the current design should never have been approved in the first place, and that the project reflects a complete lack of local consultation and oversight.

Caltrans has refused to remove the median, apparently due to liability if there were to be an accident after the median was removed. However, for the people asking for the median removal, the issue is public safety.

“Caltrans must take responsibility for the ill-conceived design and take immediate steps to correct the multiple safety issues this median has created before an accident or emergency proves our warnings right,” said one concerned petition signee.

Contacts

Caltrans District 10, Director Grace Magsayo 209-948-7543

Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, CA District 4 (916) 651-4004

Calaveras Board of Supervisors, District 3, Martin Huberty 209-481-5824