Date: Thursday, October 3, 2024
District: 9 – Bishop
Contact: Michael Lingberg
Phone: (760) 920-0280
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Traffic Lanes to Switch Again on U.S. 395 Near Cartago
Drivers are reminded the speed limit through the project area is 55 mph

What you need to know: Southbound traffic on U.S. 395 within the Olancha Cartago 4-Lane Project will switch to the new southbound lanes on Monday, October 7.

INYO COUNTY – There are changes coming next week to traffic flow on U.S. 395 through Olancha and Cartago. Southbound U.S. 395 traffic will switch onto the new southbound lanes of the Olancha Cartago 4-Lane Expressway Project starting October 7. With this switch, Caltrans will open a new road connecting the new southbound lanes to old U.S. 395 and State Route 190.

There are three central changes to southbound traffic with this traffic switch:

1. At the north end of the project, southbound traffic will no longer temporarily detour to the northbound lanes of U.S. 395. Traffic will stay on the southbound lanes through the project area, first as one southbound lane before opening to two southbound lanes.
2. Southbound U.S. 395 will now connect with Cartago, Olancha, and State Route 190 using Crystal Geyser Road. Traffic on old U.S. 395 will flow in both directions between Cartago and near the LA Aqueduct bridge, giving all drivers access to local businesses and State Route 190.
3. Southbound traffic on old U.S. 395 will be stopped near N Haiwee Road. Drivers wishing to continue further south will need to use Crystal Geyser Road to access the new U.S. 395 southbound lanes.

Northbound traffic will remain on the existing lanes of U.S. 395 through Grant, Olancha, and Cartago. A second traffic switch planned for November will move northbound traffic to the new northbound lanes. Caltrans will release information about that traffic switch once details are finalized.

The speed limit remains 55 mph through the project area.

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 remain clear of construction personnel and equipment. Be Safe and Be Work Zone Alert!

To get the latest information on conditions on the State Highway System, visit the Caltrans QuickMap site at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or download the app to your smartphone. You can also call the Road Condition Hotline at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).

Find out how California is building for a better tomorrow by visiting build.ca.gov and rebuildingca.ca.gov.

For those with sensory disabilities requiring alternate formats (i.e. Braille, large print, sign language interpreter, etc.) and those needing information in a language other than English, please contact Bob Gossman at (760) 881-7145 or TTY 711.