Paso Robles moves forward with Highway 46 undercrossing study

By Camille DeVaul · Thu Aug 06 2026

Council approves $356,583 feasibility study to evaluate three potential crossings

PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles City Council approved a $356,583 professional services agreement Tuesday with Wallace Group to study whether an undercrossing beneath State Route 46 East could provide a more practical and affordable connection to the city's airport and northeast industrial area than the long-planned Union Road overcrossing.

The feasibility study will evaluate conceptual undercrossing options at Airport Road, Union Road, and the Huer Huero Creek area. City staff stressed that the study is strictly a planning effort and does not authorize construction, select a preferred alignment or replace the Union Road overcrossing project. Any future transportation project would require separate City Council approval, environmental review, funding and design before moving forward.

The study comes as the estimated cost of the Union Road overcrossing has grown to more than $150 million, leading city staff to explore whether an undercrossing could provide similar transportation benefits while reducing construction costs, right-of-way acquisition and environmental impacts.

According to city staff, the northeast portion of Paso Robles is expected to continue growing as a center for industrial, aviation, and employment development, making improved access to the Paso Robles Municipal Airport Industrial Area increasingly important for economic growth, emergency response, freight movement, and traffic circulation along State Route 46 East.

Staff noted that the project is fully funded through Transportation Impact Fees. The city previously budgeted $465,000 for the effort in its Capital Improvement Program, meaning no additional funding is needed.

Wallace Group was the only firm to submit a proposal in response to the city's request for proposals. Staff recommended the firm based on its transportation planning experience throughout San Luis Obispo County and its familiarity with previous Highway 46 corridor studies and local infrastructure projects.

Although councilmembers unanimously agreed that improving access to the airport area is a priority, they spent considerable time debating whether every proposed crossing should remain part of the study.

During public comment, resident Sharon Roden questioned the cost of the study and urged the city to move toward a final decision after years of planning.

"It seems like it's awfully expensive," Roden said.

She noted that the study does not include right-of-way acquisition costs and expressed frustration with relying on Caltrans grant funding and lengthy planning timelines.

"We're just spinning in circles," she said, referencing the years already spent pursuing the Union Road overcrossing project.

Mayor John Hamon argued against studying what councilmembers referred to as the "purple" alignment near Airport Road, saying the location has already been informally evaluated and presents significant engineering obstacles.

"I've been out there 47 years," Hamon said. "Purple line studies are going to be so expensive, and we don't even have the right-of-way where Airport Road is currently coming into 46 East to make an underpass."

Instead, Hamon said he believes the city should focus on options west of Huer Huero Creek, where previous property dedications and planning efforts could make a project more achievable and less expensive.

Councilmember Steve Gregory shared similar concerns, emphasizing that improved airport access is urgently needed.

"Our demand for Airport Road is now," Gregory said. "We can't wait anymore."

Gregory proposed separating the Huer Huero Creek option from the rest of the study so the council could determine its feasibility sooner rather than waiting for the entire analysis to be completed.

Gregory also expressed frustration over the amount of time previous transportation studies have taken without resulting in construction.

"Time is money, and I am tired of looking at studies that Caltrans just sort of throws us in the trash can," he said. "We're not going to compete with all the urban areas because we don't have enough people here. The way we compete with people is to do it ourselves. Be the Paso Roblans that we all want to be. Put the bridge where we know it works."

City staff responded that Caltrans has taken a more proactive role in the current effort and is encouraging in-person coordination meetings throughout the study process to help address potential concerns early.

Councilmember Kris Beal supported proceeding with the study exactly as staff recommended, saying she preferred evaluating all of the proposed options before narrowing the alternatives. Councilmember Fred Strong and Councilmember Chris Bausch agreed, saying they did not believe modifying the scope would ultimately save time.

Following the discussion, Gregory made a motion to approve the contract while removing the Airport Road, or "purple," alignment from the study. Hamon supported the motion, but it failed on a 2-3 vote, with Gregory and Hamon voting in favor and Bausch, Strong, and Beal opposed.

Bausch then moved to approve the staff recommendation without changes. That motion passed 3-2, with Bausch, Strong, and Beal voting in favor and Hamon and Gregory opposed.

The approved study will now move forward evaluating all three conceptual undercrossing locations. Officials said the results will provide technical and financial information to guide future transportation planning decisions serving the airport and the city's growing northeast employment corridor.

The next Paso Robles City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 6 p.m. in the Norris Room at Centennial Park.

Feature Image: This map presented at the Tuesday, Aug. 4, Paso Robles City Council meeting show the options for possible undercrossings near the Paso Robles Municipal Airport. Graphic courtesy of the City of Paso Robles