The Westbound Phase 1 of the Fix 50 project is finishing five days early, which means traffic changes will hit sooner than origninaly scheduled. The Westbound Phase 2 work on the outside lanes of U.S. Highway 50 between 24th and 18th streets will begin at 9 p.m. Thursday.
The change-over will take all night, according to a Cal DOT press release.
The following ramps and connectors will be closed throughout Phase 2:
Westbound Highway 50 Off-Ramp closures:
- 16th Street Off-Ramp (Use 26th Street off-ramp instead)
Westbound Highway 50 Connector from:
- Eastbound Business 80 (Capital City Freeway)
- Reduced lanes on connector ramp from Hwy 99 North to US-50 West (will merge down to one lane)
- Capital Public Radio Staff
Read the full release:
Fix50 Westbound Phase 1 to Finish Early
Westbound Phase 2 to begin 5 days early, starting overnight Thursday, June 5.
SACRAMENTO – The $40.5 million Fix50 project is ahead of schedule. Westbound Phase 1, which began May 27 to resurface the inside lanes of Highway 50 between 24th and 18th Streets in Sacramento, will finish 5 days early.
The early completion of Phase 1 means an early start for Westbound Phase 2 work on the outside lanes. Thursday evening, June 5, crews will begin the process to move traffic from the outside lanes to the inside three lanes, which are in the process of being resurfaced with a new concrete deck.
The change-over will begin at approximately 9 PM Thursday, and will take all night. It involves sealing and restriping the newly completed inside lanes and moving K-rail barriers. There will also be traffic breaks after midnight to take down the existing overhead sign structure. The full transition will finish by 10 AM Friday morning and will signal the start of Westbound Phase 2.
Westbound Phase 2 is expected to still require 15 days to complete. Westbound Highway 50 was scheduled to be completed and reopened on June 25, but since it is being started early, it is now expected to reopen ahead of schedule.
On-Ramp and Connector Closures: There are additional traffic restrictions during Westbound Phase 2 due to additional ramp closures. The following ramps and connectors will be closed throughout Phase 2:
Westbound Highway 50 Off-Ramp closures:
- 16th Street Off-Ramp (Use 26th Street off-ramp instead)
Westbound Highway 50 Connector from:
- Eastbound Business 80 (Capital City Freeway)
- Reduced lanes on connector ramp from Hwy 99 North to US-50 West (will merge down to one lane)
Signed detours will be in place to direct traffic around the closures. Motorists are highly encouraged to plan their alternate routes ahead of time and allow additional travel time.
Hornet Drive Detour: The suggested detour for motorists and commercial vehicles looking to access westbound Highway 50 from Business 80 (Cap City Freeway) is to take Eastbound Highway 50 to Exit 9
(marked Howe Ave. / Power Inn Rd.) Stay in the right lane to use the California State University loop exit, which is before Howe/Power Inn. This loop will take drivers onto Hornet Drive, where they can then turn left onto westbound U.S. Highway 50 and proceed through the project area. Detour signs will direct drivers through the detour. Motorists should allow an extra 10 minutes to take the detour in addition to congestion delays going through the Fix50 work zone.
Additional Congestion: “Because of the additional ramp and connector closures, congestion could be worse during Westbound Phase 2 than in Westbound Phase 1,” said Caltrans District 3 Director, Jody Jones. “Major congestion is expected throughout the region, including on other area highways and surface streets. Motorists are strongly encouraged to use alternate transportation whenever possible.” Links to alternate transportation options and alternate routes are available at Fix50.com/alternate-transportation or by calling 511 or 311.
The best way to bypass congestion is to take Light Rail, and avoid any unnecessary trips. Other options that can help reduce congestion and wait times include:
- Take the bus: Sacramento RT, Yolobus, Elk Grove e-tran, North Natomas Flyer, Placer County Transit, Yuba Sutter Transit, or El Dorado Transit
- Capitol Corridor train service from Yolo County and Placer County. Discounts are available from Yolo Transit on the Capitol Corridor Trains between Davis and Sacramento during peak hours at yolobus.com.
- Carpool / Vanpool
- Adjust work schedules to avoid rush hour or telecommute
- If possible, walk or ride a bike. May is Bike Month. See www.mayisbikemonth.com
- Patronize local businesses after work to avoid rush hour and reduce car trips. Special offers are available for local businesses at www.Fix50.com/open-for-business.
This weekend, a separate project will affect westbound Highway 50 traffic flowing out of the project area and heading northbound on I-5. A 55-hour closure is scheduled for the inside lanes of northbound I-5, between L Street and Richards Blvd from Friday, June 6 at 10 PM through Monday, June 9 at 5 AM. Ongoing night and weekend closures are scheduled through August. For more information go to SacDECKEDout.com.
Get Project Updates: Motorists can sign up to receive project updates via text alerts, email or social media; and can link to local transit agencies at Fix50.com.
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fix50WX
- Twitter: @Fix_50
- Instagram: @Fix_50
About the Project: The W-X Viaduct is the elevated section of U.S. Highway 50 in Sacramento south of downtown, between 18th and 24th Streets. Although there are no safety problems with the Viaduct currently, age and heavy use have caused extensive wear and cracking. The construction contractor, Myers & Sons Construction of Sacramento, will seal cracks and install a new 4-inch concrete deck on top of the existing deck, and tie it to the girders.
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