What you need to know: U.S. 395 has reopened within the Sonora Junction Shoulders Project after crews installed two under-highway wildlife crossings, providing safe and sustainable passage for mule deer and other area wildlife.
MONO COUNTY – U.S. 395 has reopened between Burcham Flat Road and State Route 108 north of Bridgeport after crews installed two wildlife crossings as part of the Sonora Junction Shoulders Project. The highway shut down on September 4, allowing crews to completely dig up the road for each archway under crossing measuring more than 70 feet in length and standing between 9.5 feet and 11 feet tall.
The image shows one of the finished under crossings.
The project began construction in May to widen the shoulders of the highway to 8 feet, install rail-element retaining walls, and stabilize slopes with anchored mesh in addition to installing the wildlife crossings.
The full closure was necessary to allow for the wildlife crossing installations, and to replace the asphalt concrete and roadway base of U.S. 395 through the project area as well as shift the centerline of the roadway by up to two feet in certain locations to accommodate the wider 8-foot shoulders. This allowed Papich Construction to quickly and safely remove the asphalt and roadway base to install the under crossings while changing the layout of the road.
Though crews will finish paving and striping through the project area this year, the project is anticipated to enter a winter suspension in October. Once work resumes in spring 2025, crews will complete permanent striping of the pavement, erect the wildlife fencing, replace signs, and upgrade guardrail.
TRAFFIC IMPACT: Drivers are advised that they no longer need to use the detour along State Route 182 and Nevada Routes 338 and 208 in Smith Valley, NV. U.S. 395 through the project area is once again open to traffic. Travelers can drive between Bridgeport and the towns of Walker, Coleville, and Topaz using U.S. 395 again. Those traveling over Sonora Pass and Monitor Pass are now able to turn south on U.S. 395 instead of using the detour.
With the highway reopen, one-way traffic control will go back into effect Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and drivers may experience 20-minute delays. The project is expected to go into winter suspension in October.
Work schedules are subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment or materials, or any construction-related issues.
Travelers are asked to be attentive to workers on the highway, slow for the cone zone, and move over whenever possible to remain clear of construction personnel and equipment. Be Safe and Be Work Zone Alert! And remember to #SlowDownInTown.
To get the latest information on conditions on the State Highway System, visit the Caltrans QuickMap site at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or download the app to your smartphone. You can also call the Road Condition Hotline at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).
Find out how California is building for a better tomorrow by visiting build.ca.gov and rebuildingca.ca.gov.
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