Caltrans races winter

By Susan Meeker

Colusa County Sun-Herald

State transportation workers and contractors are making a final push to complete the Williams Highway 20 interchange project before winter.

California Department of Transportation officials say the state has almost completed the $5.3 million project to reconstruct and stabilize nearly two miles of embankment slopes, but are waiting until after the heavy holiday traffic to tear apart the on and off ramps to Interstate 5 and replace the asphalt.

Motorists can expect delays and closures on the ramps beginning Wednesday, said Caltrans spokesman Mark Dinger.

The project is one of 915 highway and street projects statewide that were funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Dinger said the work next week will impact all four ramps coming on and off Interstate 5, and will involve both day and nighttime work.

Caltrans will close the north-bound on ramp and south-bound off ramp between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. through Friday, and south-bound on ramp and north-bound

off ramp from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m.

Motorists also can expect 5-10 minute delays during one-lane traffic controls through the project area, Dinger said. Detour signs will direct traffic to E. Street and Husted Road.

Although hundreds of eucalyptus trees were removed last year in preparation for the state project, major construction didn't get underway until May.

Since then, workers have flattened the slopes to help reduce rock slides, Dinger said. A mile-long safety guardrail will be installed, and damaged drainage inlets and downdrains are being rebuilt.

In addition, Caltrans will replant the area with 120 valley oak trees and 386 dwarf coyote bushes and Western Redbud.

"it's going to have a completely different look," Dinger said.

Dinger said the project is on schedule and on budget, and should be completed by November.