District 6 photo
By Christian Lukens
District 6 public information officer
This past March, Caltrans was joined by dignitaries from Tulare County and the city of Visalia to celebrate the start of construction for the State Route 216 Lovers Lane Rehab Project.
The $44.9 million project aims to provide operational improvements at the State Route 198/Lovers Lane interchange, rehabilitation of roadway pavement, construction of new non-motorized transportation facilities, upgrading existing facilities to current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, remove and upgrade existing streetlights and upgrades to traffic signals.
Funding for the project was made possible in part through Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) and additional state funding.
The ground-breaking ceremony was held this past spring, and speakers included District 6 Director Michael Navarro, City of Visalia Mayor Brett Taylor, Vice-Chair for the Tulare County Board of Supervisors Amy Shuklian, Chairman of the Tulare County Association of Governments Board of Governors Rudy Mendoza and Commander of the Visalia Area California Highway Patrol, Captain Scott Goddard. The ceremony included additional certificate presentations from the offices of State Senator Melissa Hurtado and Assemblymember Alexandra Macedo.
The Lovers Lane Rehab Project began in fall 2024 and is expected to be completed in summer 2026.