Manzanar Pavement Project to Begin Construction

What you need to know: The Manzanar Pavement Project will go into construction on Monday, May 11, in and around the town of Independence, and drivers can expect delays.

INYO COUNTY — Construction on the $57.1 million Manzanar Pavement Project will commence Monday, May 11 in and around the town of Independence. This project will repave 44 lane miles of pavement on U.S. 395 from approximately 2.5 miles south of the Manzanar National Historic Site Visitor Center, through the town of Independence, to 0.3 miles north of Fish Hatchery Road near the Fort Independence Reservation.

Other features of the project include:

·        A pedestrian-activated rectangular rapid flashing beacon with a mast arm at Market Street,

·        Pedestrian sidewalk bulbouts at various locations within Independence,

·        New traffic signs.

For more information about this project, visit the Caltrans District 9 Projects page: Manzanar Pavement | Caltrans.

The project is tentatively scheduled to finish construction in March 2027.

TRAFFIC IMPACT: One lane on U.S. 395 in Independence will be open in both directions during construction. Northbound traffic will shift to the inside southbound lane about two miles south of the Manzanar National Historic Site using a temporary crossover beginning Monday, May 18. The speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph outside of Independence and 25 mph within town.

Work is scheduled Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Drivers may experience brief delays.

FUNDING INFORMATION: The Manzanar Pavement Project received $44.64 million in funding in August 2025 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) – also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Under IIJA, California will receive an estimated $41.9 billion over five years. IIJA provides significant funding to rebuild California’s transportation system, including support to improve roadways, bridges, freight projects, public transportation, infrastructure safety enhancements, and to increase infrastructure resiliency to the impacts of severe weather and climate change. For more information about IIJA, visit Building California: Transforming Infrastructure for a Better Future | Home.

The Manzanar Pavement Project received $5.78 million from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually split between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1. Find out how California is building for a better tomorrow by visiting build.ca.gov.

Follow us for the latest information on Facebook (Caltrans9), X/Twitter (@Caltrans9), and Instagram (@Caltransd9), or email us at [email protected]. To assist in planning your commute, view live traffic conditions using QuickMap at http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/.

Work schedules are subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment or materials, or any construction-related issues.

Travelers are asked to be attentive to workers on the highway, slow for the cone zone, and move over whenever possible to give additional clearance. Be Safe and Be Work Zone Alert! And remember to #SlowDownInTown.