Construction update for Union Road between San Juan Hollister Road and SR 156

HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Caltrans announced Tuesday that they will be temporarily closing a section of Union Road in Hollister for about eight weeks (maximum) to reconstruct the intersection of Union Road and SR 156.

During this closure, traffic will be detoured through San Juan Hollister Road. This construction is to realign to the new four-lane expressway, support SR 156's widening and improve access to and from the highway.

Exact dates will be announced within one week of the closure when details are certain, according to Caltrans. They expect Union Road to reopen in late summer after two construction milestones; new paving south of the existing highway and a new roundabout at Bixby Road.

Caltrans is accommodating increased traffic through temporary detours and additional traffic control measures. Signs will be placed at San Juan Hollister Road and 4th Street/Business 156, a right turn lane
to 4th Street/Business 156 from eastbound SR 156 and an additional left turn lane from 4th Street/Business 156 to westbound SR 156.

Early August is when Caltrans anticipates the closure of Union Road. They say they've worked with the contractor to shorten the initial anticipated closure time from eight months to eight weeks.

Mitchell Road north of SR 156 will close after the Union Road reopening to allow additional intersection improvements and to repave of the old highway into a frontage road.

Caltrans anticipates the SR 156 Improvement Project to be complete by fall 2025. It is intended to reduce peak hour traffic congestion and accident costs.

Caltrans and the Council of San Benito County Governments (SBCOG) created a series of detour and traffic control maps in English and Spanish. Additionally, the San Benito Route 156 Improvement Project updates can be found on the Transportation Updates page of the Council of San Benito County Governments.