Caltrans Completes $8.7 Million SB 1-Funded Project to Repair State Route 14 in the Mojave Desert

Caltrans Completes $8.7 Million SB 1-Funded Project to Repair State Route 14 in the Mojave Desert

EASTERN KERN COUNTY – Caltrans today announced the completion of the Freeman III Project, an $8.7 million State Route 14 project that repaired 15 lane miles of pavement, stretching from one mile north of Red Rock Canyon Road to three-and-a-half miles south of the Freeman Gulch Bridge. The project was fully funded by Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

The contractor Griffith Company used a sustainable partial depth recycling (PDR) technique, which supports Caltrans goal of leading climate action by recycling existing pavement. During the PDR process, crews dug out current road material in localized sections and recycled it, combining the material with Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). The HMA was then reapplied to the excavated areas. Crews then laid a two-and-a-half-inch layer of Rubberized Hot Mix Asphalt on top of the PDR to restore the high-quality ride and serviceability of the existing roadway.

The project also upgraded traffic signs, added rumble strips, and placed shoulder backing through the entire project area. Shoulder backing is a layer of aggregate on the edges of the pavement that helps prevent cracking and edge loss. This material creates smoother transitions from asphalt to unpaved shoulders for vehicles that need to pull off the road.

“Safety is always Caltrans highest priority,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “The restoration and enhancements on State Route 14 will improve safety through increased ride quality, smoother road-to-shoulder transitions, and heightened driver attention while utilizing environmentally-friendly techniques that honor our commitment to mitigating the effects of climate change.”

SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually shared equally between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly thanks to the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1. To view the latest news and information on SB1 funding and federal infrastructure investments, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov, which contains data on the state and federal funding. Website visitors can learn more about the different infrastructure programs, track the amount of funding California is receiving, and find projects on an updated interactive map.

To get the latest information on conditions on the State Highway System, visit the Caltrans QuickMap site at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or download the app to your smartphone. You can also call the Road Condition Hotline at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).

For those with sensory disabilities requiring alternate formats (i.e., Braille, large print, sign language interpreter, etc.) and those needing information in a language other than English, please contact Bob Gossman at (760) 881-7145 or TTY 711.

News Staff