T.O. IN RACE TO FIND ROAD PLAN; PRIMARY AIM IS SLOWING DOWN BORCHARD TRAFFIC.

Byline: Cecilia Chan Daily News Staff Writer

Now that the city is responsible for redesigning the Borchard Road extension, it is trying to beat the clock to come up with a design before construction begins so the road won't have to be built twice.

The scramble comes after Monday's agreement between the city and developers to allow the city to redesign the controversial extension, and the city hopes to have an idea of its design plans within two weeks, before developers begin construction in July.

City Attorney Mark Sellers said Tuesday that city engineers are looking at various concepts - such as creating single lanes, road medians or traffic lights. But the controversial 12 percent grade will remain unchanged.

``We are looking at concepts that slow down traffic coming down the hill,'' said Sellers.

However, Operating Engineers, which is building the road, is now doing some underground work on the road and plans to begin construction in July - with or without the city's plans, said Sellers.

``They basically will complete the road as proposed, unless we get our act together and get it to them as soon as possible,'' said Sellers.

Sellers said he doesn't know yet what it will cost the city for the redesign and construction of the road, which will be one of two major access routes out of the 2,350-unit Dos Vientos Ranch.

Developers Miller Bros. and Operating Engineers reached an agreement with the city Monday to allow the city to redesign the road and pay for changes in its construction.

A judge in January ordered the city to allow the 1.5-mile road extension to be built as designed with up to a 12 percent grade. However, critics have said the road would not be safe unless it was made with a lesser, 5 percent grade, which is the city standard.

Operating Engineers attorney Mark Allen said the city's cost for the road won't be known until his client goes out to bid for the paving contractor, which he said will be soon.