Four on and off ramps along State Route 99 will be closed between Sanger and Fowler, Golden State Boulevard is encouraged as an alternate route
The interchange for State Route 43/Floral Avenue on Highway 99 will be closed beginning March 26 as part of a project to rehabilitate Highway 99 between Selma and Fowler. The project is projected to take seven to eight weeks.
FRESNO COUNTY – The second phase of construction on State Route 99 is scheduled to start in the upcoming week in Selma and Fowler between Second Street and Manning Avenue.
In Cooperation with the Security Paving Company, the California Department of Transportation will continue the rehabilitation project. For motorists, this means Northbound on and off-ramps for route 43/Floral Ave will be closed and Southbound traffic will be reduced to two lanes. The ramps will reopen once this portion is completed. Construction will then continue South, closing the Northbound Second Street off-ramp and 43 North to 99 Northbound on-ramp. During the anticipated seven to eight week construction period, Caltrans recommends commercial traffic use the Mountain View exit and Golden State Boulevard as an alternate route. Closures will be posted on signage and will direct the traffic onto the Golden State Boulevard detour.
With the closure of one lane, traffic will merge into the new alignment and will continue freely with no expectation of delay outside of a reduced speed limit to 55 mph. Only minimal extended drive times can be expected if using the detour while the repairs are performed. Drivers should allow for additional time when traveling through the area should the detour be used.
The ongoing project along 99 originally started in the summer of 2021. Between Fowler and Selma was scheduled to begin the week of March 13, but that date has been pushed back to March 26. The project aims to restore road conditions by repaving and reinforcing the stretch of freeway between the two cities. By removing the current concrete pavement, placing hot mix pavement with rebar then repaving the concrete pavement the project will minimize future maintenance and extend the longevity of the roadway.
During the construction project, Caltrans also plans to upgrade the existing electrical systems, install and upgrade drainage systems and replace old median guardrail with new concrete barrier rail. So far, the section of Route 99 from Manning to Merced nears completion and Caltrans continues to install barrier rails in the center median for the current stage.
Caltrans regularly strives to stay on schedule in order to minimize travel inconveniences to motorists, however the rehabilitation project has faced delays due to supply shortages and conditions caused by recent torrential storms. These uncontrollable issues have caused the start and anticipated completion date of this phase to be pushed to mid-May. This date is tentative assuming there are no additional setbacks from weather or other unforeseeable events. Additional more accurate timeframes will be given as the project progresses.
Caltrans advises the public to stay alert for CHP, Caltrans officials, and construction personnel that will be on site during this process and as always, please, “slow for the cone zone.”