Stanislaus board OKs more funds to finish Highway 132 project. It’s going to be costly.

Stanislaus County is committing $5 million in transportation impact fees to prepare plans and specifications for Phase 3 of the Highway 132 realignment west of Modesto.

The first phase of the 132 project was completed in November, providing a two-lane route from the Needham Street overpass to Dakota Avenue, west of Highway 99.

County leaders want to keep moving forward by extending the bypass five miles west to Gates Road. The board approved a consent item Tuesday for sending the $5 million to the Stanislaus Council of Governments, which is overseeing the project.

The new alignment is intended to relieve congestion and improve safety on the traditional Maze Boulevard and Highway 132 route, which is increasingly packed with commuter traffic going to and from the Bay Area.

County Supervisor Terry Withrow said local officials want to construct the two remaining phases at the same time, adding two lanes to the Needham-to-Dakota section (Phase 2) and four lanes from Dakota to Gates (Phase 3). The second phase also includes a partial interchange at Carpenter Road.

Withrow said the environmental review for Phase 3 has been completed. Plans, specifications and cost estimates are necessary before seeking bids from contractors.

“We’re trying to get everything in place and then all we need is the money” for construction, Withrow said.

The bypass’s next two segments are expected to cost a total of $380 million.

Withrow said $80 million in public facility fees is set aside for the remaining work, along with $28 million in Measure L funds.

He said completing the 132 realignment will still require large amounts of federal and state transportation funding.

The supervisor doubted the partner agencies can finish the project by 2026, as planned, but 2028 is realistic, he said.