Caltrans Outlines Major Spring Road Projects for Del Norte County

by ROGER GITLIN

Drivers in Del Norte County should prepare for extended construction activity and recurring highway closures this spring, as Caltrans District 1 outlined several major infrastructure projects during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.

One of the first projects scheduled is the Timber Boulevard safety improvement project on U.S. Highway 101 North in Smith River. The project includes installation of a dedicated left-turn lane and has been awarded to Tidewater Contractors. Construction is expected to take approximately 90 working days, with most work occurring during evening hours. While a start date has not been finalized, Caltrans anticipates work beginning in early spring.

A second major project involves construction of the long-planned U.S. Highway 199 / U.S. Highway 101 roundabout. The project is scheduled to take place during the upcoming dry season. A contractor has not yet been officially announced.

The most significant and potentially disruptive project is Caltrans’ effort to bring Highways 199 and 197 into compliance with the federal Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) of 1982, which allows larger commercial trucks to safely use designated routes. This work is expected to begin by mid-April and may continue for up to one year.

To complete the improvements, Caltrans anticipates temporary highway closures from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, which will significantly impact traffic during those periods. A contractor for this project has not yet been named.

Additionally, Caltrans announced two new Clean California monument portal signs welcoming motorists into California. One sign will be located on Highway 199 southbound at the Oregon border and will feature bears and redwoods. The second sign, located on Highway 101 southbound from Brookings, will feature elk and salmon. Caltrans has requested a brief delay in finalizing the designs to refine colors and visual details. Construction on both monuments is expected to begin in April.

Caltrans stated that additional details, including firm start dates and traffic control plans, will be released as projects move closer to construction.