More Highway 50 closures are coming to Sacramento area. Here’s how to avoid traffic

A key stretch of roadway connecting Highway 50 to Highway 99 in Sacramento County will close for 55 hours due to construction starting Friday, according to Caltrans.

Several lanes and exits will be closed as well, the California Department of Transportation said.

Here’s what you need to know.

Where is Highway 50 construction?

The Highway 50 Multimodal Corridor Enhancement Project , also known as Fix50, aims to rehabilitate pavement and add 14 miles of high-occupancy lanes from the interchange of Highway 50 and Interstate 5 interchange to the Highway 50-Watt Avenue interchange, Caltrans said in a news release.

The $483.5 million project is the largest in the Sacramento region, according to the project website.

Which freeway lanes and ramps will be closed? When?

The westbound connector from northbound Highway 99 to westbound Highway 50 will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday, Oct 11., to 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 14, according to Caltrans.

In addition, various Highway 50 lanes and on- and off-ramps will be closed overnight on the following days, the state road agency said.

Nighttime work takes place from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., Caltrans said.

Thursday, Oct. 10

• Eastbound 65th Street off-ramp
• Eastbound No. 3 and No. 4 lanes from 59th Street through 65th Street
• Eastbound No. 1 and No. 2 lanes from 26th Street from Stockton Boulevard
• Westbound No. 3 and No. 4 lanes from Howe Avenue to 59th Street
• Westbound Howe Avenue on-ramp
• Westbound Hornet Drive on-ramp
• Westbound 65th Street on- and off-ramps
• Eastbound 16th Street on-ramp

Friday, Oct. 11

• Eastbound No. 3 and No. 4 lanes from Stockton Boulevard through 59th Street
• Westbound No. 3 and No. 4 lanes from 26th Street to Camilla Avenue
• Westbound No. 1 lane at the southbound Highway 51 connector

Saturday, Oct. 12, and Sunday, Oct. 13

• Westbound No. 3 and No. 4 lanes from 26th Street to Camilia Avenue

• Westbound No. 1 lane at the southbound Highway 51 connector

Which detours can I take to avoid roadwork?

To avoid construction, drivers traveling from northbound Highway 99 to westbound Highway 50 can take eastbound Highway 50 to 65th Street, then exit and turn around to westbound Highway 50, Caltrans said.

Motorists can also continue eastbound on the Interstate 80 Business loop, also known as Business 80, to N Street, then exit and turn around to westbound Business 80 and take the connector ramp to Westbound US-50.

Folks traveling on Highway 99 who want to get to westbound Highway 50 or Interstate 5 can use I-5 instead of Highway 99, according to Caltrans.

What else can drivers expect?

“Motorists traveling through the work zone should expect lane restrictions and be aware of commercial work vehicles traveling in and out of the area,” Caltrans said in the release.

Drivers should also prepare to slow down, the agency said.

According to Caltrans, the speed limit has been reduced to 55 mph in the construction area, and California Highway Patrol officers are on hand to enforce it.

Caltrans said it doesn’t expect “heavy dust or noise impacts to nearby city streets.”

Can I be ticketed for speeding in construction zone if no one is working?

California Vehicle Code 22362 says it is illegal to exceed the posted speed limit in construction zones , even when workers are not present.

On highways, the speed limit is reduced by 10 mph, and in some areas, it can be as low as 25 mph.

Motorists caught speeding can receive tickets, with fines varying based on their speed.

READ MORE:

• Can I be ticketed for speeding in a California work zone if no one is working? Here’s the law

Other tips for driving through a construction zone

Caltrans has several tips for driving safely in construction zones. They include:

• Don’t change lanes unnecessarily.
• Avoid using mobile phones while driving in work zones.
• Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
• Anticipate lane shifts, and merge when directed to do so.
• Watch for workers; drive with caution.

READ MORE:

• Breaking the law in California construction zones? Here are tips to avoid a $1,000 ticket

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