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2021-08-08-express-update

Caltrans is constructing express lanes on U.S. 101 from the San Mateo County/Santa Clara County Line to I-380 in South San Francisco. Express lanes are expected to open from the San Mateo County/Santa Clara County Line to Redwood City in late-2021 and from Redwood City to I-380 in late-2022.

 

Construction Update – Week of August 8th

This week, construction activities on U.S. 101 from San Antonio Road (in Palo Alto) to Whipple Avenue (in Redwood City) will involve work in the median and shoulders and will include installing tolling equipment, and landscaping and erosion control work. Construction activities on U.S. 101 from Whipple Avenue to I-380 (in South San Francisco) will involve work in the median, shoulders, freeway lanes, ramp and on city streets, and will include demolishing existing concrete barrier, constructing and painting a new median barrier, repaving the freeway surface, installing permanent roadway signs, PG&E and AT&T service work, and landscaping and erosion control work. Construction activities may occur during the day or night, and construction-related noise (e.g. backup alarms, hammering, etc.) should be anticipated.

 

Current Project Work by Roadway Section

Section of median barrier south of Whipple Avenue, where express lanes tolling equipment is currently being installed

Median: Construction crews are working in the freeway median (inside) to install new express lane signage, lighting, and tolling equipment; and construct a taller barrier.

 

In the coming weeks (Week of August 8th – Week of August 22nd), work in the median may include:

  • demolishing existing concrete barrier;
  • installing overhead lighting, sign foundations, overhead signs, new permanent concrete barrier, and electrical systems;
  • painting new concrete barrier;
  • installing and testing fiber optic connections for tolling equipment; and
  • reconfiguring stormwater drainage systems to create space for the new express lanes.

Construction crew member installing new guardrail in the freeway shoulder

Shoulders: Construction crews are working in the freeway shoulders (outside edge) to install electrical infrastructure for the new express lanes, remove vegetation, restore existing auxiliary lanes, connect auxiliary lanes to create a new lane, and replace freeway signage.

 

In the coming weeks (Week of August 8th – Week of August 22nd), work in the shoulder may include installing:

  • permanent roadway signs on northbound U.S. 101 from Holly Street in San Carlos to approximately Broadway in Burlingame, and on southbound U.S. 101 just south of the Ralston Avenue On-Ramp;
  • erosion controls on northbound and southbound U.S. 101.

 

Drivers using the freshly paved southbound U.S. 101 lanes north of Broadway (pictured right). Construction crews are currently repaving the northbound lanes (pictured left).

Freeway Lanes: Construction crews are working in the freeway lanes to repave and restripe the roadway, replace overhead signs, and install electronic detectors to monitor traffic flow.

 

In the coming weeks (Week of August 8th – Week of August 22nd), crews will close freeway lanes as needed to continue to repave the roadway surface on northbound U.S. 101 from Broadway in Burlingame to approximately I-380 in South San Francisco. We anticipate this work will be completed by the end of August. Repaving on southbound U.S. 101 in this section is complete. Additionally, crews will be adding temporary striping to the lanes on southbound U.S. 101 from Millbrae Avenue in Millbrae to just north of Peninsula Avenue in San Mateo. We anticipate this work will be completed by the end of August.

 

Lane closures are implemented to facilitate work on the freeway lanes and for the safety of crews and nearby travelers during construction activities. Closures may occur on northbound and southbound U.S. 101 from 9:00 PM to 5:30 AM, Sunday night to Saturday morning.

 

Drivers using the Southbound U.S. 101, Poplar Avenue Off-Ramp in San Mateo

Ramps: Construction crews are working on freeway ramps to accommodate new express lane infrastructure. Ramp closures are typically implemented to facilitate work on or adjacent to freeway ramps.

 

Temporary ramp closures in both the northbound and southbound directions of the freeway may occur during the night, from Monday night to Saturday morning. However, consecutive interchanges for northbound and southbound ramps will not be closed at the same time. See Freeway Ramp Closures below for a list of planned ramp closures.

 

Construction crews implementing a temporary closure on city streets

City Streets: Project crews continue to work on city streets to connect the new express lanes infrastructure to the existing PG&E and AT&T grids.

 

This week, work to connect power to overhead signs and freeway lighting may occur on streets in the cities of San Carlos, San Mateo, and Millbrae. Nearby residents and travelers can expect to see crews from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. This work may produce intermittent low vibrations and construction vehicle noise, and may require temporary lane closures (one-way traffic). Cones and flaggers will safely direct traffic around closures. This work will also include PG&E installing new service locations and meters on city streets adjacent to the freeway. PG&E and AT&T service interruptions are not anticipated as part of the Project.

 

Freeway Ramp Closures: Short-term nighttime ramp closures may occur at the following locations (listed from south to north) during the week of August 8th in/near the cities of Redwood City, San Carlos, Belmont, Foster City, San Mateo, Burlingame, Millbrae, San Bruno and South San Francisco. Changeable message signs near the ramps will display exact closure times and locations. 

  • Northbound U.S. 101, Northbound/Southbound Route 84 Connector Ramp (Closures possible lasting until 6:00 AM on Saturday, August 14th at this location)
  • Westbound Whipple Avenue, Southbound U.S. 101 On-Ramp
  • Southbound U.S. 101, Eastbound/Westbound East Hillsdale Boulevard Off-Ramp
  • Eastbound/Westbound Fashion Island Boulevard, Southbound U.S. 101 On-Ramp
  • Northbound U.S. 101, Eastbound/Westbound 3rd Avenue Off-Ramp (Closures possible lasting until 8:00 AM on Saturday, August 14th at this location)
  • Poplar Avenue, Southbound U.S. 101 On/Off-Ramp
  • Northbound Anza Boulevard, Northbound U.S. 101 On-Ramp (Closures possible lasting until 6:00 AM on Saturday, August 14th at this location)
  • Northbound U.S. 101, Northbound Broadway & Old Bayshore On/Off-Ramp
  • Southbound U.S. 101, Eastbound/Westbound Broadway On/Off-Ramp
  • Westbound Millbrae Avenue, Southbound U.S. 101 On-Ramp (Closures possible starting at 5:00 PM at this location)
  • Northbound U.S. 101, Eastbound/Westbound Millbrae Avenue Off-Ramp
  • Northbound U.S. 101, SFO Off-Ramp
  • Produce Avenue/Airport Boulevard, Southbound U.S. 101 On-Ramp

 

Nighttime ramp closures:

  • Will be displayed on changeable message signs within the construction zone
  • Will begin after 8:00 PM and reopen by 6:00 AM, unless otherwise noted above
  • Will have detour signs posted

 

All construction activities are subject to change without notice.

 

For questions during construction, contact the Caltrans Public Information Officer:    

Alejandro Lopez at (510) 385-6856 or 101express@dot.ca.gov.

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Visit our website at 101express.com for more information about the project. Follow us on Twitter @CaltransD4.

 

If you would like a copy of a prior construction update, please email 101express@dot.ca.gov.