State of California • Department of Transportation
NEWS RELEASE

Merced
Project Will Repair and Replace Deteriorating Pavement
Merced – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is preparing to begin a maintenance project that will improve the roadway surface of State Route 165 (SR-165) between Wolfsen Road and SR-140 in Merced County.
Work will include the repair of roadway surface locations using hot-mix asphalt, along with the removal and installation of new shoulder backing, signage, and rumble strips. Overnight, alternating lane closures on northbound and southbound SR-165, will be required for the safety of motorists, roadway workers and equipment.
Beginning Sunday, May 11, 2025, crews will work night shifts from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., for approximately 60 working days - Sundays through Fridays - with completion expected in late July 2025. Roadside message signs will be placed on SR-140 and SR-165 to alert motorists of scheduled highway lane closures.
This $6 million project was awarded to Cal Valley Construction Inc. (Fresno, CA), who will perform the work required. This project will benefit motorists traveling from Los Banos to Turlock, as well as commercial vehicles traveling throughout Merced County.
By improving the roadway surface, this project will also improve mobility and greatly reduce current and future maintenance repair costs for this highly traveled corridor.
Caltrans will provide continuous updates on scheduled lane and ramp closures, and any other lane closure details in future traffic advisories and social media posts.
The work schedule is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and/or materials, and/or construction-related issues. For more information about transportation and other infrastructure projects funded with state and federal investments, visit Build.ca.gov.