Traffic Advisory for the Week of 11/27/2023 – 12/1/2023

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 27 – December 1.

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 Friday 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 Friday 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.

·      Conway Summit Utility Work – On U.S. 395 approximately 3 miles south of the junction with State Route 270 (Bodie Road), there will be utility work Thursday and Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. There will be one-way traffic control and drivers may experience 10-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 Friday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. Drivers could experience brief delays due to intermittent and turn lane closures.

·      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 through Wednesday from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm.

·      Broome Road Crack Seal Operation – On the westbound lanes of State Route 58 from the Broome Road overcrossing to Woodford-Tehachapi Road, there will be a crack seal operation in the outside lane Monday through Wednesday from 6:00 am to 5:00 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 Friday 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 Friday 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 Conway Ranch Shoulders Project has entered winter suspension. Work is anticipated to resume in May 2024.

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/.