Major Traffic Shift and Construction Milestones Ahead for California Highway 156 Improvement Project

Key changes with this shift include the reopening of Union Road and the opening of a new roundabout at Bixby Road.Photo byRicardo ResendeonUnsplash

Caltrans has announced a significant traffic change for the SR 156 Improvement Project between San Juan Bautista and Hollister. Beginning the night of October 10, all traffic will be shifted onto newly constructed expressway lanes, marking a major milestone for the project. This update is weather-dependent and will maintain at least one lane in each direction on the new expressway.

Key changes with this shift include the reopening of Union Road and the opening of a new roundabout at Bixby Road, with one lane in each direction. Additionally, a small section of Mitchell Road, north of SR 156, will close for about eight weeks, while the bypass exit from eastbound SR 156 to 4th Street/Business 156, closed since the project's start, will reopen.

Drivers are advised to slow down and heed new signage and portable message boards during this transition. The SR 156 project, expected to be completed in fall 2025, aims to improve goods movement, reduce congestion, and enhance safety across this key east-west corridor.