MAJOR PROJECT UPDATES
Nut Tree Overcrossing
Nine years after the original Nut Tree folded, groundbreaking is set for Aug. 25 on a $200 million development alongside Interstate 80 that will include restaurants, hotels, townhouses, shops and a farmers market. There will be a kiddie-style amusement park, complete with the old miniature Nut Tree train. The complex will carry the Nut Tree name but, unlike its predecessor, it will not include a restaurant by that name.
Edwin and Helen Power started the Nut Tree in 1921 as a roadside fruit stand beneath a walnut tree. Then came a restaurant, gift shop, toy shop and other features. It even gave birth to an adjacent airfield that today is operated by Solano County and is called, of course, the Nut Tree Airport. In its day, the Nut Tree was an almost mandatory travel stop between the coast and Lake Tahoe. Like the old Nut Tree, the new Nut Tree will be a place to stop and relax for a while, instead of just getting a quick bite to eat.
The Vacaville Museum is working with the developer to supply menus and other knickknacks from the old Nut Tree to the new complex. Many will be stored at the Harbison House, where co-founder Helen Power was reared. It's the only building still standing on the property. It's also expected that murals and historical markers will be scattered throughout the complex to further the nostalgic feel.
The traffic demand anticipated by the development creates the need for approximately $14 million in roadway improvements (construction cost only). The improvements include widening the existing Nut Tree Road Overcrossing across I-80; reconstructing the existing westbound on and off ramps from I-80; realigning East Monte Vista Avenue from the Putah South Canal past Airport Road to Horse Creek; and the addition of two traffic signals: one at the new Nut Tree Road/East Monte Vista Avenue intersection and one at the new ramp intersection with East Monte Vista Avenue.
Funding for this project is broken into multiple categories. The overcrossing and on/off ramp work is funded by approximately $6 million in Developer sponsored Traffic Impact Fees. The realignment of East Monte Vista Avenue and all of the utility work is being funded through a new assessment district which will provide approximately $7 million in construction costs. A new 18” transmission water line through the project is being funded by approximately $1 million in Citywide Developer Impact Fees for utility infrastructure.
Nut Tree Freeway Overcrossing Update
As of September, 2006 the median work, striping, and signal work on the Nut Tree Overcrossing was completed allowing the bridge to be opened to four lanes of traffic, and the Nut Tree Parkway/Orange Drive and Nut Tree Road/ E. Monte Vista Avenue intersections to operate at near capacity.
The final major item of work remaining is the decorative concrete slope paving under the new bridge. This work is commencing September 2006 and will require the closure of one of the two lanes on the I-80 to I-505 connector ramp. This ramp has been re-striped to temporarily provide a single exit lane.
For more information, call (707) 449-5170
Monday-Friday 8:30am to 5 pm
or email publicworks@cityofvacaville.com
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