Hwy. 46 construction nears major milestone with bridge work. See photos
A years-long project to widen Highway 46 in northern San Luis Obispo County is close to reaching another major milestone.
Construction work on two bridges over Cholame Creek is set to be finished next year, according to the California Department of Transportation.
The bridges are part of a $148 million project to widen Highway 46 from a two-lane highway to a four-lane expressway, from west of Davis Road to west of Antelope Road, Caltrans said in a Sept. 29 news release.
Here’s what to know:
When will bridges over Cholame Creek open?
Caltrans said “major construction” is underway on a pair of bridges crossing over Cholame Creek north of Paso Robles.
The bridges are set to open to travelers in the spring of 2026, when the “next significant traffic switch is anticipated to occur,” the state road agency said.
All businesses beside this section of Highway 46 will remain open while construction continues, according to Caltrans.
This portion of the project, including the two Cholame Creek bridges, is expected to be fully finished by summer 2026, the agency said in a social media post.
Once complete, this section will connect to the brand new flyover interchange at the Cholame “Y,” where Highways 41 and 46 meet in SLO County.
What’s next for Highway 46 construction?
The construction of the bridges over Cholame Creek is a portion of Caltrans’ larger Corridor Improvement Project.
The first part of the widening project began near Paso Robles in 2008, Caltrans said.
The final phase of the project to widen Highway 46 on the way to Kern County is expected to begin in spring 2027.
The 3.5-mile section of Highway 46 East up the Antelope Grade will be doubled from two lanes to four lanes, according to Caltrans.
