Highway 154 is preparing to open to more traffic this week as Caltrans makes progress on emergency repairs.
Caltrans said it will be reopening lanes between San Antonio Creek Road and Painted Cave Road to the public by the end of Friday. The section was closed for emergency repairs for tension cracks appearing in the roadway.
Caltrans opened the highway to one-way traffic control in the repair area and now will reopen lanes in each direction.
However, there will still be some daytime lane closures for repair work, which could last until winter. Those lane closures will be Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Caltrans said.
“The drilling operation will continue, but we stabilized the area enough that we can open two lanes on Highway 154,” Genelle Padilla, a spokesperson for Caltrans District 5, told Noozhawk.
Emergency Highway Repairs
Crews working to repair a slip-out on the roadway from winter storms were the ones who noticed tension cracks in the area between Painted Cave and San Antonio Creek roads in June.
Since then, workers have been working to fill the road’s cracks and secure them by drilling pylons into the hill.
Caltrans partially reopened the highway in that area by placing a reversible traffic signal at the site of the work. It has still been recommending that drivers use Highway 101 as a detour because of delays and because of the Lake Fire.
Even as crews finish repairing the cracks in the road, they will remain in the area to repair the slip-out and pavement reconstruction. Padilla said the repair work is expected to be finished in winter 2024.
As the road reopens, Padilla reminded drivers to be careful in the construction zone, which will have a reduced speed limit.
“Just [remember] to travel safely through the work zone. It’s still an active work zone,” Padilla said. “So, drive with caution and thanks for patience.”
A statement from the office of Supervisor Joan Hartmann also encouraged drivers to be safe.
“Earlier today at the SBCAG meeting, I was glad to hear Caltrans’ announcement that they are opening more lanes. Despite the expansion of lanes, work to stabilize the road will continue for many more months. I still urge drivers to be cautious and to drive with extra care and patience as work crews will still be onsite working on the roadway.”
