Personally, I think this is a smart move.  The industry is down and there are some great prices.  Why not set the contract in place now and lock in prices.  This something we need if Bakersfield is going to continue to grow.  In fact, I'd really like to see the city planners consider a belt loop instead of driving through the 24th street to get to the other side of the city.  Do you have any maps to share? 

They can only lock in prices when they're ready to build. To get to that point, they need to get the design done — and they're accelerating the design process for that very reason.

An interior belt loop isn't going to happen. There had been talk about something like that earlier, but it's too expensive, especially when you try to connect it to, you know, other roads. The city is planning on widening 23rd and 24th, though.

There's a decent map viewer on the city's freeway site here.

Thanks for the map link.  I agree that the designs needs to be submitted for approval, then go out to bid and then award the winning bid.  But, doesn't the city already have several iterations and can't they just have the bidders submit a new bid with revised cost?  That will then lock in prices once the bids are approved.

I still think the belt way is the answer to our current and future needs.  Widening the 24th street is not a good solution considering the traffic on the Rosedale hwy as it is now.  The beltway will truly connect all sides of our city and will allow the city to address future growth strategy.  Just my thought.  Again, thanks for the map and update.