San Benito U.S. Route 101 Pavement Rehabilitation Project

The California Department of Transportation, District 5, is undertaking a major rehabilitation project along approximately 7.55 miles of U.S. Route 101 in San Benito County, stretching from just southwest of the San Juan Road overcrossing to just northeast of the Betabel and Y Road overcrossing. The scope includes comprehensive pavement rehabilitation, drainage system restoration or replacement, traffic safety system upgrades, and implementation of wildlife connectivity measures such as wildlife fencing and habitat restoration. Environmental compliance is central to the project, governed by the California Environmental Quality Act and informed by a Mitigated Negative Declaration with a State Clearinghouse number of 2025091293. Construction activities are restricted to a narrow window from June 1 through October 31 each year to protect sensitive aquatic species and nesting birds, with strict adherence to Best Management Practices for erosion and sediment control, hazardous material response, and water quality protection. Compliance with specific biological mitigation measures is mandated, including a 1:1 or 3:1 tree replacement ratio depending on location, mandatory permits under the Clean Water Act and Fish and Game Code, and detailed protections for the California red-legged frog, including dewatering protocols and herbicide restrictions. A Transportation Management Plan must be implemented to ensure continuous emergency access and minimal traffic disruption, while aesthetic requirements demand visually compatible materials, signage, and landscaping throughout the corridor. Project oversight falls under Matt Fowler, Senior Environmental Planner and Environmental Branch Chief, who serves as the primary point of contact and acts as the de facto Procuring Contracting Officer, though formal COR or COTR roles are not named in the documentation. All submissions for proposal must be received by October 27, 2025, via mail to the District 5 office in San Luis Obispo or electronically to SBT101Pavement@dot.ca.gov, with supporting technical studies organized into Volume 2, including environmental assessments for air quality, noise, water quality, and historic resources. There is no publicly disclosed contract value, and no federal pricing, payment, or accounting data such as AAC, TAS, or WAWF systems are referenced, as this is a state-funded and state-administered project. The procurement status is identified as a forecast, with no indication of award methodology such as LPTA or trade-off, and no Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses are incorporated into the project documentation. Environmental filing fees of $3,043.75 must be paid to the California Department of Fish