FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
What you need to know: The Lee Vining Pavement Rehabilitation Project will go into construction on Monday, September 28, in the town of Lee Vining, and drivers can expect delays.
LEE VINING — Construction on the approximately $30 million Lee Vining Pavement Rehabilitation Project will commence Monday, September 28 in and around the town of Lee Vining. This project will rehabilitate the pavement of U.S. 395 from State Route 120 W, through the town of Lee Vining, to Picnic Grounds Road. Scheduled over 320 working days, this project will redesign U.S. 395 in Lee Vining from a 5-lane highway to a 3-lane highway from just south of Lee Vining Avenue to just north of Lee Vining High School as a traffic-calming measure.
Other features and Complete Streets elements of the project include:
- Addition of bicycle lanes within Lee Vining,
- Expansion of sidewalks up to 16 feet wide,
- Replacement, repair, and construction of new ADA-compliant curb ramps, driveways, crosswalks, and landscaping,
- New parallel parking in town.
- New water lines and sewer lines
Crews will begin the project by replacing the town’s water lines and sewers before wrapping up for a winter suspension later in October. For more information about this project, visit the Caltrans District 9 Projects page: Lee Vining Pavement Rehabilitation Project | Caltrans.
The project is tentatively scheduled to finish construction in the fall of 2028.
TRAFFIC IMPACT: The outside lanes of U.S. 395 in Lee Vining will be closed 24 hours a day during the week but will reopen during weekends. The inside lane in both directions and individual driveways will intermittently close as needed. Detours will be available, and businesses will remain accessible. The speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph outside of Lee Vining and 25 mph within town.
Work is scheduled Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Drivers may experience brief delays.
FUNDING INFORMATION: The Lee Vining Pavement Rehabilitation Project received $26.24 million in funding in August 2025 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) – also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Under IIJA, California will receive an estimated $41.9 billion over five years. IIJA provides significant funding to rebuild California’s transportation system, including support to improve roadways, bridges, freight projects, public transportation, infrastructure safety enhancements, and to increase infrastructure resiliency to the impacts of severe weather and climate change. For more information about IIJA, visit Building California: Transforming Infrastructure for a Better Future | Home.
The Lee Vining Pavement Rehabilitation Project received $3.52 million from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually split between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1. Find out how California is building for a better tomorrow by visiting build.ca.gov.
Follow us for the latest information on Facebook (Caltrans9), X/Twitter (@Caltrans9), and Instagram (@Caltransd9), or email us at D9PublicInfo@dot.ca.gov. To assist in planning your commute, view live traffic conditions using QuickMap at http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/.
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 give additional clearance. Be Safe and Be Work Zone Alert! And remember to #SlowDownInTown.
For those with sensory disabilities requiring alternate formats (i.e., Braille, large print, sign language interpreter, etc.) and those needing information in a language other than English, please contact Angela Bates at 760-881-7145 or TTY 711.