Caltrans To Re-Open Northbound I-5 John Erreca Rest Area

Caltrans To Re-Open Northbound I-5 John Erreca Rest Area

Merced County – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is pleased to announce the reopening of the northbound Interstate 5 (I-5) John Erreca Rest Area in Merced County. Caltrans will reopen the rest area this Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in preparation for the upcoming Labor Day weekend. Construction will continue on the southbound rest area through the month of September.

Caltrans began construction on the rest area project in Spring of 2022, with completion expected in Fall of 2025. Upon completion the John Erreca Rest Area will stand as a model for new Caltrans California highway rest areas, with reconstructed comfort stations, increased capacity, and upgraded utilities to provide modernized, safe, and reliable stopping opportunities for motorists. The rest area will be the most sustainable rest area ever built by Caltrans, featuring low-power demand and low-water usage, electric vehicle charging stations, and new, long-life concrete pavement designed to perform for over 40 years, with little to no maintenance required.

This $30 million project was awarded to Walsh Construction Co. (Concord, CA), with funding secured through the State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) – Safety Roadside Rest Area Rehabilitation Program. This project will benefit motorists traveling along the I-5 corridor, as well as commercial vehicles traveling throughout Merced and Fresno Counties.

For more information about transportation and other infrastructure projects funded with state and federal investments, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov and Build.ca.gov. Caltrans reminds motorists to #KnowBeforeYouGo by checking Quickmap.dot.ca.gov or by downloading Caltrans QuickMap app to mobile devices for real-time highway updates.