Construction set to start on this busy SLO County corridor. Here’s where
Paso Robles drivers can expect a bit more traffic this summer now that the second phase of repairs is scheduled to start on Creston Road soon.
This second phase is a continuation of the city’s near $18 million Creston Road Corridor Improvements Project, a planned effort to modernize and repair one of the city’s oldest and most popular highways, a city news release said.
The project in total includes roadway rehabilitation, underground utility upgrades, new sidewalks and ADA improvements, enhanced bicycle lanes and construction of a new roundabout at Rolling Hills Road, where phase two will address Orchard Drive to Niblick Road.
According to the release, initial construction preparation will begin July 13, with lane closures and traffic modifications beginning later in the month.
Of the streets impacted, only Rolling Hills Road will be fully closed to through traffic during construction of the roundabout. It will only be accessible to businesses and residents on the road.
Infrastructure repairs of this scale have been a long time coming after the City Council first approved the $17.8 million project back in 2016, and the first phase of the project wrapped up in 2025. That included a new traffic signal at Walnut and Bolen Drive, enhanced pedestrian crossings at key intersections, upgraded curb ramps and roadway improvements between South River Road and Orchard Drive.
Phase two will continue these improvements from Orchard Drive to Niblick Road, the release said, and includes major infrastructure upgrades such as replacement of aging underground utilities, installation of new sewer mains, fire hydrants and gate valves, installation of conduit for future fiber infrastructure, completion of missing sidewalks, curbs and gutters, upgraded ADA-compliant curb ramps, enhanced bicycle lanes where roadway width allows and full roadway resurfacing and rehabilitation.
To reduce overall impacts, phase two is anticipated to take about 34 months spanning two waves of work: The first being the construction of the Rolling Hills Road roundabout, anticipated to take 18 to 24 months and then corridor improvements from Melody Drive to Niblick Road, which could take eight to 10 months.
According to the release, construction will typically take place Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with efforts made to avoid lane closures and minimize disruptions during school commute hours.
Motorists should expect temporary lane closures, traffic delays, and intermittent access changes throughout construction, it said.
Funding for the $17.8 million project came from a variety of sources: $14.25 million from sales tax measures J-20 and I-24, $3 million allocation secured by Sen. John Laird, $400,000 from a state local partnership program formula grant and $135,000 from the Highway Safety Improvement Program.
As the project moves forward, the city encouraged residents to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and follow posted traffic control signage while construction is underway.
For project updates and more information visit prcity.com/crestonroad.
