Caltrans set to open new eastbound lanes as part of Hwy. 46 widening project in SLO County

Caltrans is moving to a new phase of the Cholame “Y” interchange construction on Highway 46 East as it switches traffic onto new eastbound lanes this week.

The changeover will result in multiple traffic stops on Monday and Tuesday.

“To facilitate the re-direction of travelers onto the new eastbound lanes, multiple full traffic stops not to exceed 10 minutes will occur between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. during this two-day period,” Caltrans said in the release.

The stops are expected to result in the “formal opening” of the two eastbound lanes from east of the Shandon Rest Area to Davis Road near the Highway 46-Highwy 41 Interchange, according to the release.

Two-way traffic on the new westbound lanes will end, but one westbound lane will remain closed for three more weeks, according to the release. That full opening of the Cholame segment is expected in February.

All businesses near the Highway 46 East corridor remain open, according to the release.

A larger series of improvements to Highway 46 underway

This $116 million widening project by Atkinson Construction of Irvine is expected to be complete in February this year, according to the release.

The company has also worked on the “Y” interchange project, which includes the widening of Highway 46 from west of Davis Road to west of Antelope Road. The project is expected to be finished in 2026, according to the release.

This widening has been a part of four phases of improvement from Paso Robles to the Highway 46 and 41 intersection.

The $47 million widening of Highway 46 East from McMillan Canyon Road to Lucy Brown Road was completed in 2019, according to the release.

Another $38 million widening was completed in 2016 from Almond Drive to McMillan Canyon Road. The widening from Geneseo Road to east of Almond Drive was done in 2014, while the widening from Airport Road to Geneseo Road finished in 2010, according to the release.

Caltrans advised drivers to drive slowly and carefully in work zones for the safety of highway workers.

Road information and updates can be found on Caltrans District 5 social media platforms, including Facebook: facebook.com/CaltransDistrict5/.

Kelsey Oliver

The Tribune

Kelsey Oliver is a reporting intern for The Tribune. She’s originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, and is a current graduate student at The Graduate Schools of Journalism and Public Health at UC Berkeley.