The "Fix 50" resurfacing project between W and X streets is five days ahead of schedule. That means starting late Thursday night or early Friday morning, the 11th and 16th street on-ramps and the eastbound highway 50 connectors to southbound 99 and eastbound business 80 will be closed.
"This came at us real fast," said Dennis Keaton of CalTrans. He said the agency is trying to get the word out to people as quickly as possible. "To be honest, we were on schedule, we were on schedule, and then all of sudden, 'wow, you're going to do what?' Ok, great. Sounds good to us."
Keaton said things are likely ahead of schedule in part because the concrete curing process went better than expected.
Phase one of the eastbound work included the resurfacing of the inside lanes, and began last Tuesday. Now, work will begin on the outside eastbound lanes. Keaton said crews will begin the change-over tonight, which will include re-striping the newly finished lanes, and moving signs and barriers.
Keaton said this second phase is more involved. "There's more complications just becuase you're dealing with more connector ramps."
That may lead to worse traffic congestion. "That could very well be becase of the expectations, he said. "It seems like everyting wasn't as bad by all accounts except for maybe one or two days...and the public may have that false sense of security and we just don't want that to kind of take over."
CalTrans is asking drivers to take alternate routes, use public transit or ride their bikes when possible.
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