Traffic Advisory for the Week of 11/20/2023 – 11/24/2023

EASTERN KERN, INYO, and MONO COUNTIES – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announces the following project work and traffic impacts for the week of November 20 – November 24.

There will be no work on the state highway system on November 23 and November 24 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

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

Inyo County

·        Cartago Traffic Switch – On U.S. 395 north of Cartago, northbound and southbound traffic has switched to temporary lanes. Traffic speeds are reduced to 45 MPH through the current alignment for driver safety. Drivers may experience short delays.

·        Fort Independence Roadway Widening – On U.S. 395 at the intersection with Dusty Lane in Fort Independence, crews continue to widen the highway and construct a turn lane Monday through Wednesday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. The speed limit is reduced to 55 MPH through the construction zone. There will be alternating lane closures in both directions and drivers may experience brief delays.

·        State Route 190 Repairs – State Route 190 has partially reopened from the junction with State Route 136 to State Route 127 in Death Valley Junction. Drivers will encounter multiple one-way traffic control points and substantial delays inside and outside Death Valley National Park. SR 190 remains closed from the junction with U.S. 395 in Olancha to the junction with State Route 136.

Mono County

·        Topaz Lake Emergency Repair Project – On U.S. 395 approximately 1.9 miles south of the Nevada State Line, crews are installing rockfall drapery Monday through Wednesday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. There is one-way traffic control with a pilot car during work hours and drivers may experience 20-minute delays.

Projects on the state highway system with minimal or no delays:

Eastern Kern County

·        Ridgecrest Sewer Replacement – On State Route 178 E between French Avenue and Gemstone Street, crews continue to replace a sewer line Monday through Wednesday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. Drivers could experience brief delays due to intermittent and turn lane closures.

·        Ridgecrest Traffic Signal Work – On State Route 178 E between Norma Street and Graaf Avenue, there will be traffic signal work Monday through Wednesday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.

·        Mojave Warning Signs – On the northbound shoulder of State Route 14 from the southern junction with Business Route 58 to Shasta Street, there are signs warning drivers of Kern County sign work Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.

·        State Route 58 Railroad Cleanup – On State Route 58 from Broome Road to 2.5 miles east, the eastbound outside lane and shoulder will be closed to allow for railroad cleanup Monday and Tuesday from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm, and on Wednesday from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm.

·        Keene Bridge Work – On the westbound lanes of State Route 58 from Woodford-Tehachapi Road to one mile east, the outside lane will be closed while crews perform bridge work on Monday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Inyo County

·        Fort Independence Lighting Project – On U.S. 395 from 0.2 miles south of Miller Lane to just north of Fort Road, crews will install eight safety-enhancing and dark-sky-compliant light standards Monday through Wednesday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.

·        Whitney Portal Road Detour Sign – On U.S. 395 near the intersection with Lubken Canyon Road, there will be portable message signs informing travelers of a detour for Whitney Portal Road Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.

·        Olancha Shoulder Closures – On U.S. 395 at the junction with State Route 190 in Olancha, there will be intermittent shoulder closures to allow trucks access to deliver material Monday through Wednesday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Mono County

·        Conway Ranch Shoulders Project – On U.S. 395 between State Route 167 and just north of Conway Ranch Road near Mono City, the shoulders are closed while crews perform erosion control and prepare the project for winter suspension. Work is scheduled Monday through Wednesday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

The Conway Ranch Shoulders Project received $8.3 million from IIJA.

SB 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, 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. For more information about other transportation projects funded by SB 1, visit http://rebuildingca.ca.gov.

Under IIJA, California will receive an estimated $41.9 billion over 5 years. IIJA provides significant funding to Caltrans to improve roadways, bridges, freight projects, public transportation, and safety, and to address climate change. For more information about IIJA, visit http://rebuildingca.ca.gov/iija-by-the-numbers.

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!

Follow us for the latest information on Facebook (Caltrans District 9), 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/.