US 101/Hearn Avenue Regional Multimodal Interchange
Project Purpose
The new Hearn Avenue Overcrossing replaces a shoulderless, two-lane overcrossing having only a narrow sidewalk with a new structure featuring two lanes in each direction, full shoulders, and a bicycle lane and sidewalk in each direction.
The additional capacity will relieve congestion on Hearn Avenue and solve the problem of vehicles backing up on southbound Highway 101 waiting to exit onto Hearn Avenue.
Truckers will benefit as the new overpass is taller and will accommodate the taller big rigs which now travel the freeways.
With a Class VI bicycle lane in each direction and full sidewalks on both sides, the new overcrossing is a model of Complete Streets, which encourages neighborly pedestrian and bicycle trips.
With full shoulders on each side, the overpass dramatically improves access and travel times for emergency responders.
Project Updates
June 2, 2025
Westbound lane closed Friday, June 6, 9:00 p.m. – Monday, June 9, 6:00 a.m.
Santa Rosa — As part of the Hearn Avenue Overcrossing Replacement Project, Caltrans will close the westbound and eastbound lane
of the overcrossing on the first and second weekends of June, respectively.
The closures on the first weekend in June will allow work crews to rearrange traffic lanes, moving the westbound lane onto the partially-built new bridge and shifting the eastbound lane around a work area. The second weekend in June, the eastbound traffic will be moved to the partially-build new bridge. Realigning lanes will create room to build the second half of the new overcrossing.
The existing Hearn Avenue Overcrossing is comprised of one eastbound and westbound lane and a narrow sidewalk. The overcrossing is being upgraded to provide two lanes in each direction, a westbound and eastbound bicycle lane, and two sidewalks. Construction on the $43.7 million project began in March 2023 and is expected to be complete in summer of 2026.
Closures
Caltrans will close the westbound lane of the overcrossing on Friday, June 6, at 9:00 p.m. until Monday, June 9, at 6:00 a.m. The right turn from eastbound Hearn Avenue to northbound Corby Avenue will also be closed.
The following weekend, Caltrans will close the eastbound lane of the overcrossing from Friday, June 13, at 9:00 p.m. until Monday, June 16, at 6:00 a.m.
Caltrans advises motorists to proceed cautiously during, between, and after the closures as traffic lanes will be shifted onto unfamiliar alignments after each closure.
Pedestrians will be accommodated on the overcrossing during the closures; however, the pedestrian pathway will be shifted during one phase of the detours, before being moved back to its current location. The temporary detour for pedestrians will be well-marked.
Cyclists will be permitted to travel in open lanes just like motor vehicles. As always, motorist should “Share the Road” with people riding bicycles.
Detours
Westbound Closure, Friday, June 6 – Monday, June 9
- From northbound Santa Rosa Avenue:
Drive north and turn left on Baker Avenue to cross the freeway. Turn right on Corby Avenue. Turn left on W. Barham Avenue. Turn left on Dutton Avenue to Hearn Avenue. - From southbound Santa Rosa Avenue:
Drive south and turn right on Todd Avenue to cross the freeway
Eastbound Closure, Friday, June 13 – Monday, June 16
- From eastbound Hearn Avenue:
Left on Corby Street Right on Baker to cross the freeway
July 28, 2025
Nighttime Ramp and Lane Closures on Highway 101 in Santa Rosa For Hearn Avenue Overpass Replacement Project
Closures occur Tuesday, August 6 through Sunday, August 11, 2024
As part of the Highway 101/Hearn Avenue Overcrossing Replacement Project in Santa Rosa, Caltrans will close the on-ramp connecting Hearn/Yolanda Avenue to northbound Highway 101 and the off-ramp connecting southbound Highway 101 to Hearn Avenue.
The closures will occur at night to avoid impacting commute traffic and include closing one or two lanes (out of three lanes) on northbound and southbound Highway 101.
During the closures, workers will install a drainage system for the new Hearn Avenue overcrossing.
Closure Schedule:
Hearn/Yolanda Avenue on-ramp to northbound Hwy 101
Tuesday – Thursday, August 6-8; 10:00 PM – 5:00 AM
Friday - Saturday, August 9-10; 10:00 PM – 8:00 AM
Southbound Hwy 101 off-ramp to Hearn Avenue
Tuesday – Thursday, August 6 – 8; 9:00 PM - 5:00 AM
Friday – Saturday, August 9-10; 10:00 PM - 8:00 AM
Northbound and Southbound Hwy 101 between Yolanda and Hearn Avenue
Tuesday – Thursday, August 6 – 8; 9:00 PM - 6:00 AM
Friday – Saturday, August 9-10; 10:00 PM - 9:00 AM
Detours
During the closure, motorists who would ordinarily use the Hearn/Yolanda Avenue on-ramp will be detoured to the Baker Avenue on-ramp.
Motorists would typically take the southbound Highway 101 off-ramp to Hearn Avenue will be detoured to the Todd Road off-ramp.
Santa Rosa Avenue bike and pedestrian detour route.
Turn Pockets to Close at Hearn/Corby Ave. Intersection in San Rosa for Nine Months, Making Room to Widen Overcrossing
Closures begin in early hours on Wednesday, May 29, 2024
As part of the Hwy 101/Hearn Avenue Overcrossing Replacement Project in Santa Rosa, Caltrans will close the right-turn lane from westbound Hearn Avenue to northbound Corby Avenue, and the left turn pocket from southbound Corby to eastbound Hearn, before the start of the morning commute on Wednesday, May 29, 2022.
The turn pockets will be closed for nine months, providing space for Caltrans to build the northern section of the new Hearn Avenue Overcrossing.
During the closure, the single westbound lane on Hearn Avenue will serve vehicles turning right or left onto Corby and vehicles traveling straight on Hearn Avenue. Westbound motorists should allot more travel time during the closure, as capacity on Hearn Avenue will be reduced.
Also, Caltrans will close the left turn pocket on southbound Corby, making the single southbound lane serving traffic turning left or right onto Hearn or through traffic on Corby.
The Hearn Avenue Project is a partnership between Caltrans Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) and the City of Santa Rosa to upgrade the existing overcrossing that spans U.S. Highway 101 with a single eastbound and westbound lane and includes only a small sidewalk for pedestrians.
The new $43.7 million project will include two eastbound and westbound lanes and feature two sidewalks, two Class 4 bicycle lanes, and other elements designed to reduce congestion and better serve people who walk and bike in southern Santa Rosa.
This project is an example of Caltrans’ Complete Streets Program, which adds multimodal upgrades to new projects when feasible.
The project was first envisioned in the 1990s and became feasible in 2004 when Sonoma County passed Measure M, a quarter-cent sales tax to fund transportation upgrades. In 2020, voters approved an extension of Measure M.
The SCTA contributed $17.2 million through Measure M funds, and the City of Santa Rosa contributed $9.4 million.
The project also received $17 million in state funds, $8.6 million through the Senate Bill (SB) 1 LPP competitive program, $5 million through SB 1 Local Partnership Program (LPP), and $3.4 million from the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
When completed in late 2025, the Hearn Avenue Overcrossing will comply with new regulations to allow taller vehicles to pass beneath.
Groundbreaking
Click image below for video of project groundbreaking.
Project Contact
For more information, contact Caltrans Sonoma County Public Information Officer Jeffrey Weiss.