ATASCADERO — In early February, Caltrans began construction along Highway 41, near San Gabriel Road to the US 101/Highway 41 interchange, to install curb ramps and pathways compliant with the Americans Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as making modifications to the existing traffic signal.
The project’s main goal was to make the entire area from Highway 101 to San Gabriel Road ADA compliant, pedestrian, and bicycle-friendly. In order to achieve their goal, Souza Engineering needed to upgrade and transform all the open drainage ditches into underground culverts complete with inlets and build sidewalks and bike paths on top.
In addition, there will be electrical upgrades to the traffic signal, the road will be widened in certain places, and bike lanes will be added throughout the corridor.
“We are proud of the project which will enhance pedestrian safety in the community,” Caltrans Public Information Officer Jim Shivers said.
According to Caltrans’s, the construction team has worked to navigate through existing utilities throughout the job site and have a tentative completion date for late May or early June with weather permitting. However, ongoing utility work and winter weather might extend the project.
The project was awarded to Souza Engineering Contracting Incorporated from San Luis Obispo for $4.3 million.
To this point, the project has completed drainage work under the sidewalks and bike pathways, as well as ADA curb ramps and driveways.
