GRASS VALLEY – Today, Caltrans in collaboration with the Nevada County Transportation Commission (NCTC), announced the start of the $124.9 million State Route 49 (SR 49) Corridor Improvement Project, which will improve safety and mobility within Nevada County. The project was funded in part by $7.9 million from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
Upcoming work includes constructing a two-way left-turn lane, right-turn lanes, 10-foot shoulders and a northbound slow-moving truck lane along SR 49 between Allison Ranch Road/La Barr Meadows Road to the McKnight Way interchange in Grass Valley. An additional southbound truck-climbing lane will be constructed within the project limits along with a new entrance to the Nevada County Transit Operations Center.
“These improvements will enhance accessibility for rural communities along the State Route 49 and State Route 20 corridors,” said Caltrans District 3 Director Sergio Aceves. “This will enhance safety and mobility for daily commuting, freight transit, and essential services, along with providing a long-term benefit for emergency readiness when the need arises again.”
The project was originally scheduled to be constructed in multiple phases starting with the northbound improvements. In 2023, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) awarded NCTC $14.6 million from the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) for southbound improvements. This, along with $4.4 million in match funding from NCTC, allowed improvements in both directions to be constructed together.
“The ability to construct these two phases together will reduce construction impacts on the community, provide construction cost savings, and accelerate the delivery of the project’s safety, operational, and evacuation benefits,” said NCTC Executive Director Mike Woodman.
Construction is scheduled to begin in early February with tree clearing and utility relocation. The main construction activities are scheduled to start in June. Granite Construction, Inc. of Sacramento is the prime contractor for the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.
SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually that is shared equally between 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. Visit build.ca.gov/ to learn more about transformative infrastructure projects happening in communities throughout the state.
Caltrans District 3 is responsible for maintaining and operating 4,385 lane miles in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. Caltrans reminds motorists to “Be Work Zone Alert” and slow in construction zones for the safety of travelers and crews performing these improvements.