Construction for high-speed rail to impact traffic on SR 180 in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. – Traffic will be impacted on State Route 180 near downtown Fresno beginning in July as significant work on the Fresno Trench and the 180 passageway begins.

This work is part of a project to construct a more than two-mile long, 40-foot deep trench that will allow high-speed trains to pass under SR 180 and other existing structures. This is the first underground construction being done as part of the high-speed rail system.

The initial work (Stage 0) is expected to begin in July and will involve shoulder improvements along SR 180 between G and H streets. The work will require eastbound lane and shoulder closures, along with periodic closures of the southbound and northbound State Route 99 connectors. Shoulder improvement work will be performed between 8 p.m. – 5 a.m. and will continue for about two months.

Stage 1 work will require lane shifts on SR 180 westbound and eastbound lanes for excavation activities over a period of approximately 18 months.

Traffic controls will be in place for all later stages of work. Drivers are requested to follow lane closure signage and may experience slight delays.

In February, construction crews began work at the Fresno Trench near Thorne and H streets with the excavation of dirt needed to build the foundations. When completed, the trench will start between Olive and Belmont avenues and run about two miles to Stanislaus Street in Fresno.

In total, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) will eliminiate 20 at-grade crossings between Madera and Fresno.

The authority, in collaboration with Tutor-Perini/Zachary/Parsons (TPZP), is working at seven active construction sites within Construction Package 1 – the first 32-mile stretch of high-speed rail between Avenue 19 in Madera County to East American Avenue in Fresno County.

For up-to-date information, visit http://www.BuildHSR.com or http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov.