Hwy. 101 lanes to close for construction at deadly SLO County intersection. See where and when
Two lanes on Highway 101 will close overnight as crews start construction on one of San Luis Obispo County’s deadliest intersections.
The roadwork is “intended to reduce the number and severity of collisions” at the intersection of Highway 101 and Wellsona Road near Paso Robles, the California Department of Transportation said.
It’s part of a $12.2 million project that was first announced in 2017 and delayed for years.
Here’s what to know:
Where are Highway 101 lane closures due to construction?
Caltrans will close the left northbound and left southbound lanes of Highway 101 near the Wellsona Road intersection in Paso Robles, the agency said in a news release.
When will freeway lanes be blocked to traffic?
The lanes will be shut down overnight from from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, and Thursday, Jan. 30, Caltrans said.
The state road agency said it will set up a detour for bicyclists.
The nearby San Paso Truck Stop will remain open and accessible to motorists, Caltrans said.
Why are SLO County freeway lanes closing?
Caltrans said it’s closing the lanes in order to install a temporary barrier on the inside shoulder of Highway 101.
Once the barrier is complete, “All lanes will remain open in each direction,” according to the state road agency.
Caltrans also plans to place temporary pavement delineation within the median before the second phase of the construction projects begins in mid-February, the release said.
Construction to start on deadly SLO County intersection
Caltrans plans to construct a 112-foot underpass beneath Highway 101, as well as a frontage road connecting the underpass with Wellsona on both sides of the highway.
The underpass will remove the need for drivers to make left turns or drive straight across traffic on Highway 101 near the San Paso Truck Stop between Paso Robles and San Miguel.
The intersection of Highway 101 and Wellsona Road ranks second in the county for the most traffic fatalities in the past decade, The Tribune reported in November.
Eight people died in vehicle crashes at the intersection between 2014 and 2024.
That puts the fatal collision rate at the crossing higher than the state average, Caltrans said.
CalPortland Construction from Santa Maria is the contractor for the Highway 101 project, according to the state road agency.
When will roadwork be complete?
Caltrans said the project is expected to be finished by early 2026.
This story was originally published January 27, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misstated the extent of the Highway 101 closure. Only two lanes are closing overnight, one in each direction.
