I’m sure many of you will be relieved to hear that Caltrans’ work on Highway 174 is nearly done. On Thursday, November 18, Caltrans issued a press release stating that they have “completed major roadway improvements with minor construction items remaining on the State Route 174 (SR-174) safety improvement project between You Bet Road and Maple Way in Nevada County.”
The $27.1 million safety improvement project, which began in August 2020, has realigned several curves, widened shoulders, added a southbound left-turn lane at Greenhorn Access Road and improved the “clear recovery zone” for errant drivers to regain control.
The remaining minor work includes erosion control, shoulder painting, sign installation, fence relocation, the installation of speed radar feedback signs, and other miscellaneous items.
As in so many other aspects of our lives, supply chain issues have delayed this project’s completion. One-way traffic control is anticipated intermittently through mid-December, although the schedule is subject to change based on weather, availability of supplies or other unexpected events. Expect 20-minute delays when traveling through the construction zone area and please drive sensibly if you chose to avoid the construction area by passing through an adjacent neighborhood. Watch for project updates on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3. For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans’ QuickMap quickmap.dot.ca.gov/.