Caltrans Traffic Advisory for the Week of February 19 through February 23
Traffic Advisory for the Week of 2/19/2024 – 2/23/2024
EASTERN KERN, INYO, and MONO COUNTIES – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announces the following project work and traffic impacts for the week of February 19 – February 23.
Work schedules are subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and/or materials, and/or construction-related issues.
New Project Work
Eastern Kern County
- Ridgecrest Utility Work – On State Route 178 E from Ridgecrest Boulevard to Inyokern Road, the westbound outside lane will close while utility crews test infrastructure Monday through Saturday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Inyo County
- Death Valley Century Bicycle Race – On State Route 190 from Badwater Road to Scotty’s Castle Road in Death Valley National Park, there will be a bicycle race on Saturday, February 24 from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. There are no lane or highway closures planned for this event. Drivers who encounter cyclists on the side of the road are asked to slow down, give them space, and wait for an opportunity to safely pass them.
Ongoing Project Work
Eastern Kern County
- Ridgecrest Sewer Replacement – On State Route 178 E between French Avenue and Gemstone Street, crews continue to replace a sewer line Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. There will be various intermittent lane closures and detours will be available. Drivers could experience brief delays.
- Tehachapi Utility Work – On State Route 202 (Tucker Road) between W. Valley Boulevard and Tehachapi Boulevard, utility crews will bury fiber optic cable on the eastbound shoulder Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Inyo County
- State Route 190 Repairs – State Route 190 between U.S. 395 in Olancha and the junction of State Route 136 east of Owens Lake remains closed for repairs. The highway is open through Death Valley National Park and can be accessed from U.S. 395 using State Route 136 in Lone Pine. Drivers are discouraged from bypassing road-closure signs.
- Death Valley Middle Mile Broadband Project – On State Route 190 from the eastern boundary of Death Valley National Park to Airport Road in Furnace Creek, crews will pause work after this week. Work will resume on Tuesday, March 5. After work resumes, there will be intermittent one-way traffic control and drivers may experience 10-minute delays.
- Cartago Traffic Switch – On U.S. 395 north of Cartago, northbound and southbound traffic has switched to temporary lanes. Traffic speeds are reduced to 45 MPH through the current alignment for driver safety. Drivers may experience short delays.
- Whitney Portal Road Detour Sign – On U.S. 395 near the intersection with Lubken Canyon Road, there are portable message signs informing travelers of a detour for Whitney Portal Road Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Olancha Shoulder Closures – On U.S. 395 at the junction with State Route 190 in Olancha, there will be intermittent shoulder closures to allow trucks access to deliver material Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Travelers are asked to be attentive to workers on the highway, slow for the cone zone, and move over whenever possible to give additional clearance. Be Safe and Be Work Zone Alert!
Follow us for the latest information on Facebook (Caltrans9), X/Twitter (@Caltrans9), and Instagram (@Caltransd9), or email us at [email protected]. To assist in planning your commute, view live traffic conditions using QuickMap at http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/.
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.
