GILROY, Calif. -- A Central Coast community is up in arms about a delayed construction project. And, it turns out, you're footing the bill for the road bumps along the way.
Residents on Highway 152 and Ferguson Road in Gilroy are upset that the road isn't open when it was supposed to be more than a month ago.
"It's been closed for a long time," said Garry Vita, of Gilroy. "I would just like this road to open up, so we can get out of our driveway."
Vita said he's tired of being suffocated by all the construction outside his home. It's so bad he said people are driving onto his property, thinking it's a way to get out.
Caltrans has been busy realigning the highway and installing traffic signals, but crews were supposed to be out of there by Dec. 11.
"It's a mess, really a mess," Vita said.
Caltrans said there were delays in completing the wiring process, waiting for Pacific Gas and Electric to come out, and one of the poles were put in the wrong place, costing about $2,000 to fix. People who live nearby say they shouldn't have to pay for it.
"It's taxpayers money," said Eric Van Dyke. "Maybe they should fire those engineers and get some new engineers who know what they're doing."
Crews also blame the rainy season for the bumps in the road, but some people aren't buying it.
"The weather hasn't been that bad except the last month. They had all that dry time to do it. They just took their time. It's just a waste," Van Dyke said.
As for Vita, he said he's frustrated and wants to see more progress out there, and quick.
"I'm a taxpayer, too, you know, but this road is unbelievable out here. And nothing's been done out here," he said.
Caltrans said it's not uncommon for projects to be delayed. Crews said they do the best to design things upfront, but it's not until they get to work that they may encounter unforeseen issues.
They said they have an allowance to deal with these bumps in the road, so the project is still on budget.
The construction is expected to be completed by Jan. 20.
