MONO COUNTY – Caltrans is closing U.S. 395 near Sonora Junction tomorrow at 6:00 am. The closure is part of the Sonora Junction Shoulders Project and is necessary for construction crews to install two wildlife crossings under the highway. U.S. 395 from just south of Burcham Flat Road to the south side of Sonora Junction will be fully closed for 15 days and is scheduled to reopen at 6:00 am on September 19.
Towns and communities near the project area, including Bridgeport, Walker, Coleville, Topaz, and Twin Lakes, will be accessible throughout the closure. Drivers will also be able to access Buckeye Road west of Bridgeport. Burcham Flat Road from U.S. 395 and Little Walker River Road will not be accessible as both roads connect to U.S. 395 within the closure area.
Drivers should not attempt to drive through the closure because large sections of the roadway will be completely missing. Construction crews will work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until this phase of the project is complete. State Route 182 in Bridgeport and NV Route 208 at Holbrook Junction in Nevada will serve as the detour around this closure. The detour is as follows:
- Northbound U.S. 395 in Mono County:
- For northbound motorists heading to Nevada or beyond, the detour will start on State Route 182 in Bridgeport which turns into Nevada Route 338 across the state line. At the terminus of NV 338 in Wellington, NV, drivers will turn west on Nevada Route 208 toward Holbrook Junction. •
- For northbound drivers traveling to State Route 108 (Sonora Pass), follow the detour route above and head south once you reach Holbrook Junction.
- Southbound U.S. 395 in Nevada:
- Southbound traffic coming from Nevada can turn east on Nevada Route 208 at Holbrook Junction, take the NV 338 south from Wellington and follow it to its terminus at the state line. Here it becomes State Route 182, which connects with Bridgeport. This 54-mile detour is roughly 8 miles longer than the journey on U.S. 395 between Bridgeport and Holbrook Junction.
- Southbound U.S. 395 from Sonora Pass/Monitor Pass:
- Those traveling over Sonora Pass and Monitor Pass toward Bridgeport and beyond must first head north on U.S. 395 through the communities of Walker, Coleville, and Topaz to reach Nevada Route 208 at Holbrook Junction. Head east on NV 208 which connects to NV 338, and travel south on the highway to reach Bridgeport.
Image 1: Map showcasing the detour for this closure and the messaging on Caltrans changeable message signs.
Drivers should be aware there are no services available on the detour route. Anyone requiring fuel, food, or a charge should utilize services prior to starting on the detour.
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.