Q: The Highway 178 expansion looks almost finished. However, they seem to have stopped with finishing the off-ramp when you are going westbound on 178. All the other on-ramps and eastbound off-ramp are complete. When is that one going to be completed?

- Linda Kuban

A: It’s not clear. There was a design flaw with the westbound off-ramp, said Janet Wheeler, spokeswoman for the Thomas Roads Improvement Program. The ramp is being redesigned and then will be constructed. Wheeler did not know how long this process will take. By the way, the designer is on the hook for the extra work that now needs to be done.
 
Q: I would like to know what is going on with the condemned apartments at 2312-2316 Eye St., next to the Red Door Interiors.

Also, the storage units at 1831 Golden State Frontage Road landscaping is almost completely dead.

Is the owner responsible for keeping this up as I'm sure when they got approval to build the landscaping was part of the plan? 

— Karen DeWalt

A: The city has issued permits for a portion of the Eye Street properties to be demolished.

The permits give the owner of the property six months to complete the work. The permit for the project was issued about two months ago, according to Randy Fidler, chief code enforcement officer for Bakersfield.

A code enforcement notice has been sent to the owners of the property at 1831 Golden State, Fidler confirmed.

Q: I would like to know who’s responsible for the maintenance of Capitan Drive and Hosking Avenue.

There is very little cleanup being done in the area, which has become unsafe for runners, walkers, and children playing around the area.

It has a lot of tumble weeds creating this area very unsafe.

- Martha L. Ruiz

A: The Hosking property owner is responsible for the side yard outside the wall (a wall mentioned in the question), per an agreement made when a wall was built to enhance the property appearance, Fidler said.

Once code enforcement receives a call, it typically takes two or three weeks before code officers can inspect the property, and about 45 days before cleanup begins if the city gets involved in the cleanup, said Fidler.

The cost of non-compliance with code enforcement is steep:

• If an owner doesn’t comply with a code enforcement letter: $105. 

• If there is a hearing: $300

• If the city cleans up: $600

• If a warrant is required to access the property: $500

Bakersfield weed and code enforcement hotline: 326-3712.

Q: What is the purpose of the stoplight on Wible by the auto mall and Rosedale Highway past Landco?

A: Here’s the answer from city traffic engineer Ryan Starbuck:

The intersection of Wible Road and Barber Way warranted a traffic signal several years ago due to the volume of vehicles there. The signal was just recently funded and constructed.

The signal at Rosedale Highway and Mohawk Street is part of the new Westside Parkway freeway project. Mohawk is being extended from Truxtun Avenue, over the Kern River, to Rosedale Highway.  After that project is complete, the city expects a large number of vehicles to be turning at that intersection.

Ask The Californian appears on Mondays and Thursdays. Submit questions to asktbc@bakersfield.com or to The Bakersfield Californian, c/o Christine Bedell, P.O. Bin 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302.