North Madera 99 6-Lane
Project Description
The project would widen State Route 99 from 4 lanes to 6 lanes from post mile 15.1 to post mile 19.9 in Madera County. The project limits extend from 1.2 miles south of the Avenue 18½ Overcrossing to 1 mile south of the Avenue 21½ Overcrossing. There is a build alternative (Alternative 1) and a no-build alternative under consideration.
Alternative 1 would construct two lanes within the existing median. The existing lanes and shoulders would be reconstructed using a rehab strategy and widened to the standard widths, where feasible. All ramps within the project limits would be overlaid with Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA), as required.
The Berenda Creek Bridge would be widened on both sides to accommodate the additional lane and standard shoulder widths. Dry Creek Bridge would be decked in the median to become one structure and would also be widened on both sides. New abutments and piers would be constructed for both bridges.
No new right-of-way is anticipated. No temporary construction easements are anticipated. The existing median would be used as a staging area. Existing utilities may need relocation. Median barriers would be installed throughout the project limits. Overhead signs and gore areas would be upgraded to current standards. Drainage facilities would be upgraded and expanded. Complete streets elements, such as sidewalks and crosswalks, would be implemented at the Avenue 18½ Overcrossing, where feasible. All existing vegetation within the median would be removed. Existing trees and vegetation near the bridges may be removed to accommodate the bridge widenings.
Project Benefits
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to improve route continuity by widening the existing 4-lane stretch of highway to 6 lanes between Avenue 17 and Avenue 21½, relieve traffic congestion, improve travel time reliability, improve traffic operations and safety, and repair and extend the service life of the existing pavement on State Route 99 within the project limits.
Need
Enhancement of this segment of State Route 99 in Madera County is needed to relieve traffic congestion, improve travel time reliability, and improve traffic operations. In recent years, increased developments have added to State Route 99 traffic congestion in Madera County. In addition, State Route 99 directly north and south of the project is a 6-lane facility, while the project location (1.2 miles south of Avenue 18½ to 1 mile south of Avenue 21½) currently exists as a 4-lane facility. This creates a gap in route continuity on State Route 99. Addressing route continuity would improve the traffic operations and safety on State Route 99. Lastly, the pavement within the project limits is distressed and needs repair. Addressing the repair of the existing pavement will decrease the exposure of Caltrans maintenance crews over time and decrease the risk to their safety.
Traffic Volumes—State Route 99 Mainline
A Traffic Operational Analysis was completed in March 2019, along with additional traffic data prepared by the Caltrans District 6 Traffic Operations and Planning units. The studies provided estimated Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) volume data for the Existing Year (2018) and the Build Planning Horizon Year (2046).
Caltrans uses AADT volumes to measure the carrying capacity of roadway features, such as roadway segments, intersections, and interchanges. Average Daily Traffic volume numbers represent the traffic demand or the volume of traffic using a roadway in a 24-hour period. Roadways are designed to handle specific volumes of traffic. When the capacity of a roadway is exceeded, the effectiveness of the roadway is reduced.
Traffic Volumes—Level of Service
Highway traffic flow is defined in terms of Level of Service (LOS). For highways, there are six defined Levels of Service, ranging from Level of Service A to Level of Service F. Level of Service A represents free traffic flow with low traffic volumes and high speeds. Level of Service F represents forced flow operations at low speeds due to traffic volumes that exceed the capacity of the facility.
According to the Traffic Operational Analysis, all segments of State Route 99 within the project limits are operating at Levels of Service ranging from "D" to "F.” It is anticipated that, with additional developments planned in the area, the few remaining Level of Service "D" segments would rapidly deteriorate to Level of Service "F," which would result in significant commuter delays.
Safety
The Traffic Operations division analyzed the mainline and ramp incidents on State Route 99 within the project limits. The collision history for northbound State Route 99 for the most recent 3-year study period (between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018) as shown in the table below indicates that the Actual Fatal, Fatal plus Injury, and Total collision rates are lower than the Statewide Average Fatal, Fatal plus Injury, and Total collision rates for similar roadways with comparable traffic volumes.
The collision history for southbound State Route 99 for the most recent 3-year study period (between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018) as shown in the table below indicates that the Actual Fatal, Fatal plus Injury, and Total collision rates are higher than the Statewide Average Fatal, Fatal plus Injury, and Total collision rates for similar roadways with comparable traffic volumes.
The actual and statewide average collision rates in accidents per million-vehicle-miles are shown in the table below:
| Freeway Segment | Post Mile | Actual Million-Vehicle-Miles Fatal | Actual Million-Vehicle-Miles Fatal Plus Injury | Actual Million-Vehicle-Miles Total | Average Million-Vehicle-Miles Fatal | Average Million-Vehicle-Miles Fatal Plus Injury | Average Million-Vehicle-Miles Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northbound State Route 99 | 15.1-19.9 | 0.006 | 0.10 | 0.30 | 0.008 | 0.16 | 0.46 |
| Southbound State Route 99 | 15.1-19.9 | 0.011 | 0.19 | 0.56 | 0.008 | 0.16 | 0.46 |
Estimated Funding Breakdown
| Funding Source | Funding Amount |
|---|---|
| Local | To be determined |
| State | To be determined |
| Federal | To be determined |
| Construction Cost | $145,000,000 |
Partnerships
- City of Madera
- Madera County
- Madera County Transportation Commission
- Federal Highway Administration
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
- California Air Resources Board
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Central Valley Flood Protection Board
- Regional Water Quality Control Board
Proposed Project Schedule
| Process | Date |
|---|---|
| Final Environmental document to be completed | Spring 2028 |
| Right-of-way acquisition to be completed | Not applicable |
| Design to be completed | Fall 2030 |
| Advertise | Spring 2031 |
| Construction to begin | Summer 2031 |
| Construction to be completed | Spring 2033 |
Project Contact
Mike Day, Project Manager
Phone: 559-383-5247
Email: mike.day@dot.ca.gov
Javier Almaguer, Environmental Office Chief
Phone: 559-287-9320
Email: javier.almaguer@dot.ca.gov
District 6 Public Information Office
Phone: 559-444-2518
Email: d6.public.info@dot.ca.gov
Documents
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In-person Meeting
Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Fairmead Elementary School, Cafeteria
19421 Avenue 22 3/4
Chowchilla, California 93610
Virtual Meeting
Date: Thursday, August 19, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: To be determined
Title VI Information
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) assures that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and Federal Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations).
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