9th Avenue Interchange in Hanford
Project Description
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is starting its environmental compliance process and coordinating with the public for the 9th Avenue Interchange project. The project would construct an interchange on State Route 198 at 9th Avenue from post mile R19.1 to post mile R20.5 in Kings County.
Build Alternatives
Alternative 1: Cloverleaf Interchange
This alternative would construct a cloverleaf interchange with all ramps on the west side of 9th Avenue in a combination of a Type L-7 and Type L-8 interchange. The northwest quadrant would consist of a Type L-8 configuration with a loop off-ramp and a diamond-type on-ramp for the westbound direction of State Route 198. Left-turn lanes would be constructed along northbound 9th Avenue. The southeast quadrant would consist of a Type L-7 configuration. It also proposes a loop off-ramp and diamond-type ramp for the eastbound direction of State Route 198. The Type L-7 configuration eliminates the need for left-turn storage lanes along the proposed 9th Avenue structure.
A new 9th Avenue overcrossing would be constructed. The new 9th Avenue overcrossing would be a 235-foot-long, two-span (120-foot, 115-foot) structure varying in width from 122.33 to 134.33 feet. The structure would be constructed of either a Cast-In-Place/Prestressed box girder with a depth of 4.75 feet or Pre-Cast/Prestressed wide flange girders with a depth of 4.88 feet. A 4.0-foot-diameter, multi-column bent within the median of State Route 198 is anticipated. The open-ended short seat abutments are assumed to be founded on piles. The multi-column bent would be founded on pile caps or large-diameter Cast-In Drilled Hole piles. The new overcrossing would accommodate a 3-lane traveled way in each direction, median, two Class II bike lanes and 10-foot sidewalks.
Alternative 2: Partial Cloverleaf Interchange
This alternative would construct a Type L-9 partial cloverleaf interchange. The northwest quadrant would incorporate a State Route 198 westbound on-ramp for 9th Avenue southbound traffic. The northeast quadrant would incorporate a State Route 198 westbound loop on-ramp for 9th Avenue northbound traffic and a State Route 198 westbound off-ramp. The southeast quadrant would incorporate a State Route 198 eastbound on-ramp for 9th Avenue northbound traffic. In the Type L-9 configuration, left turns are eliminated along 9th Avenue.
The new 9th Avenue overcrossing is anticipated to consist of a 220-foot-long, 122.33-foot-wide, two-span (110-foot, 110-foot) structure. It would consist of either a Cast-In-Place/Prestressed box girder with a depth of 4.50 feet or a Pre-Cast/Prestressed girder within the median of State Route 198. The open-ended short seat abutments are assumed to be founded on piles. The multi-column bent is assumed to be founded on pile caps or large-diameter Cast-In Drilled piles. The new overcrossing would accommodate a 3-lane traveled way in each direction, median, two Class II bike lanes and 10-foot sidewalks.
Alternative 3A: Spread Diamond Interchange
This alternative would construct a Type L-2 spread diamond interchange. The new 9th Avenue overcrossing is anticipated to consist of either a single- or two-span structure that is 134.33 feet wide. The single-span option would be 162 feet long and consist of either a Cast-In-Place/Prestressed box girder with a depth of 7.25 feet or Pre-Cast/Prestressed wide flange girders with a depth of 7.38 feet. The two-span (83-foot, 83-foot) option would be 166 feet long and consist of either a Pre-Cast/Prestressed box girder with a depth of 3.5 feet or Pre-Cast/Prestressed girders with a depth of 4.25 feet. A 4.0-foot-diameter, multi-column bent is anticipated within the median of State Route 198. The open-ended short seat abutments are assumed to be founded on piles. The multi-column bent is assumed to be founded on pile caps or large-diameter Cast-In Drilled piles. The new overcrossing would accommodate a 3-lane traveled way in each direction, median, two Class II bike lanes and 10-foot sidewalks.
Alternative 3B: Spread Diamond Interchange with Two Roundabouts at Ramp Terminals
This alternative would construct two multi-lane roundabouts along the 9th Avenue and ramp intersections. The roundabouts would sit approximately 350 feet south and north of the State Route 198 centerline. A bypass would be placed at each ramp terminal. In this configuration, 9th Avenue would be a 6-lane facility prior to and after the proposed overcrossing. The structure would consist of 4 lanes. For this alternative, adding loop on-ramps should be studied in the next phase if operational analysis indicates a need for additional ramps.
The new 9th Avenue overcrossing would consist of either a single- or two-span structure that is 94.33 feet wide. The single-span option would be 162 feet long and consist of either a Pre-Cast/Prestressed girder with a depth of 7.25 feet or Pre-Cast/Prestressed wide flange girders with a depth of 7.38 feet. The precast girder option may require on-site splicing and post-tensioning due to shipping limitations. The two-span (83-foot, 83-foot) option would be 166 feet long and consist of either a Pre-Cast/Prestressed box girder with a depth of 3.5 feet or Pre-Cast/Prestressed wide-flange girders with a depth of 3.88 feet. A 3.0-foot-diameter multi-column bent is anticipated within the median of State Route 198. The new overcrossing would accommodate a 2-lane traveled way in each direction, median, and a 12-foot shared bike lane and sidewalk in each direction.
Alternative 4: Cloverleaf Interchange with Roundabouts at the Ramp Terminals
This alternative is the same as Alternative 1 but, instead of a signalized intersection at the two ramps, there would be roundabouts. The roundabouts would have 2 travel lanes, and a shared bike lane and sidewalk in each direction between the roundabouts.
No-Build Alternative
The no-build alternative would leave the State Route 198 and 9th Avenue intersection as it is. This alternative would not meet the purpose and need of the project. It would not provide route continuity for State Route 198, improve traffic access to and across State Route 198, or improve pedestrian and bicycle access along 9th Avenue.
Project Benefits
Purpose
The purpose of the project is to:
- Provide route continuity for State Route 198
- Improve traffic access to and across State Route 198
- Improve pedestrian and bicycle access on 9th Avenue
Need
Provide Route Continuity
State Route 198 is a four-lane freeway from the 14th Avenue interchange to the State Route 43 interchange, except at 9th Avenue. At this location, State Route 198 becomes an expressway with an uncontrolled limited access intersection. According to the June 2016 State Route 198 Traffic Concept Report, the ultimate future designation for this segment of State Route 198 is four-lane freeway. The 9th Avenue intersection sits between the 10th Avenue interchange to the west and the State Route 43 interchange to the east, leaving a gap in this segment of four-lane freeway.
Improve Traffic Access onto and across 9th Avenue and State Route 198
State Route 198 prevents movement along and from 9th Avenue. The State Route 198/9th Avenue intersection allows only for right turns from 9th Avenue onto State Route 198. Traffic on 9th Avenue can neither turn left onto State Route 198 nor cross over State Route 198. Southbound vehicles on 9th Avenue are required to travel about a mile to the interchange at Lacey Boulevard to go eastbound on State Route 198. Northbound vehicles on 9th Avenue are required to travel about a mile to the Reddington on-ramp to go westbound on State Route 198. Motorists needing to cross State Route 198 must detour about 2 miles to cross State Route 198.
Improve Pedestrian and Bicycle Access on 9th Avenue
Between Lacey Boulevard and Hanford-Armona Road, 9th Avenue is currently designated as a Class III bike lane according to the 2016 Initial Bikeway Plan and a Class II bike lane in the 2035 Full Bikeway Plan. Currently, 9th Avenue has no features of either a Class II bike lane or Class III bike lane.
In addition, neither bicyclists nor pedestrians have access across State Route 198 on 9th Avenue. Pedestrians and bicyclists traveling on 9th Avenue must detour to the State Route 43 interchange, which is 2 additional miles of travel.
Estimated Funding Breakdown
| Funding Source | Funding Amount |
|---|---|
| Local | To be determined |
| State | To be determined |
| Federal | To be determined |
| Construction Cost | $80,000,000 to $110,000,000 |
Partnerships
- Kings County Council of Governments
- City of Hanford
- 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
- U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Regional Water Quality Control Board
- Department of Toxic Substances Control
Proposed Project Schedule
| Process | Date |
|---|---|
| Draft Environmental document to be completed | Spring 2027 |
| Final Environmental document to be completed | October 2027 |
| Right-of-way acquisition to be completed | Winter 2032 |
| Design to be completed | Winter 2032 |
| Advertise | Spring/Summer 2032 |
| Construction to begin | Summer 2032 |
| Construction to be completed | Spring 2034 |
Project Contact
Ronnie Kier, Project Manager
Phone: 559-342-6971
Email: ronnie.k.kier@dot.ca.gov
Judith Lopez, Senior Environmental Scientist
Phone: 559-240-5068
Email: judith.lopez@dot.ca.gov
District 6 Public Information Office
Phone: 559-488-4082
Email: d6.public.info@dot.ca.gov
Documents
Accessibility Assistance: Caltrans makes every attempt to ensure our documents are accessible. Due to variances between assistive technologies, there may be portions of this document which are not accessible. Where documents cannot be made accessible, we are committed to providing alternative access to the content. Should you need additional assistance, please contact us at (916) 654-2852 or visit https://dot.ca.gov/request-ada-compliant-documents.
- Public Notice, English (PDF 88 KB)
- Public Notice, Spanish (PDF 100 KB)
- Fact Sheet (English)
- Fact Sheet (Spanish)
- Notice of Preparation (PDF 980KB)
- Notice of Completion (PDF 243KB)
News and Events
Community Outreach
Caltrans staff will be at the next Hanford Farmer’s Market at Civic Park inviting the public to our public scoping meeting. See details below:
Date: October 9, 2025
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Farmer’s Market
Civic Park
113 Court St
Hanford, CA 93230
Public Scoping Meeting
Caltrans is inviting the community to attend the 9th Avenue Interchange project Public Scoping Meeting where you may view engineering mapping of all alternatives and other project information. Please come and comment on the project. Caltrans is receiving comments on the project through November 7, 2025. See details below:
Date: October 14, 2025
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Hanford City Hall Training Room
319 North Douty Street
Hanford, CA 93230
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).
Caltrans will make every effort to ensure nondiscrimination in all of its programs and activities, whether they are federally funded or not, and that services and benefits are fairly distributed to all people, regardless of race, color, or national origin. In addition, Caltrans will facilitate meaningful participation in the transportation planning process in a nondiscriminatory manner.
Title VI Brochures
- Title VI Brochure, English (PDF 154 KB)
- Title VI Brochure, Spanish (PDF 361 KB)
- Title VI brochures in various languages