Caltrans reduces closure on Highway 41 to Fresno. Here’s what’s happening instead
Update, 6 p.m., March 27:
A 17-mile closure of Highway 41 on Thursday for roadwork won’t be needed after all, Caltrans said in a news release on Wednesday.
Instead of the road being fully closed and requiring a detour on Highway 46 East, the work will instead result in reverse traffic control on a 7-mile stretch of the highway from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The affected area runs from the Cholame Y at the intersection of Highway 41 and Highway 46 East to the San Luis Obispo-Kern County line.
Caltrans urged drivers to allow extra time for their travel.
Original story:
A stretch of Highway 41 connecting San Luis Obispo County to Fresno will be closed for potentially two days this week, Caltrans said in a news release.
Highway 41 will be closed between Highway 46 East and State Route 33 — approximately 17 miles — on Wednesday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. as Caltrans works on a widening project near the Cholame Y interchange with Highway 46 East.
The segment also will potentially be closed Thursday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. as well, the agency said.
A Caltrans spokesperson told The Tribune the closure is due to construction of a new alignment to Highway 46, which will go directly over a portion of the existing Highway 41.
Travelers headed north on Highway 41 can detour via Highway 46 East to State Route 33 north to Highway 41 just south of Kettleman City. Travelers headed south on Highway 41 can detour onto Highway 33 to Highway 46 East.
Caltrans plans to place message and directional signs to assist all travelers. CHP will also be present at each end of the closure. The agency suggests allowing extra time for your commute while using these detours and to be aware of electronic message boards, flaggers and highway workers within the work zones.
The contractor for the $148 million project is Atkinson Construction of Irvine, Caltrans said.
This story was originally published March 25, 2024 at 10:27 AM.
