PLACER COUNTY – Caltrans is alerting local Alta and Baxter residents and business owners to expect extended closures of the Interstate 80 Crystal Springs on- and off-ramps beginning next week.

Between 7 a.m. Wednesday, June 15 and 5 p.m. Friday, June 24, the east- and westbound on- and off-ramps at Crystal Springs will be closed for various construction activities. Construction crews will be grinding ramp pavement, placing new road base, and installing electrical conduits. At the completion of this extended closure, motorists should expect to be driving on gravel or dirt with intermittent traffic control or ramp closures through Thursday, June 30 for final paving preparation work. Final paving work on the Crystal Springs east- and westbound on- and off-ramps is currently scheduled Tuesday, July 5 and Wednesday, July 6 with the ramps closed between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

During the Crystal Springs on- and off-ramp closures, local motorists will be directed to take the westbound Baxter on-ramp to I-80 and then the Alta Undercrossing (Exit 146) for eastbound I-80 travel. Eastbound motorists needing to access local roads on the westbound side of I-80 will be directed to Drum Forebay (Exit 150) and then to the westbound Baxter off-ramp.

The construction schedule is subject to change based on weather, availability of equipment or other unexpected events.

The work is part of a $57 million project to replace four I-80 bridge overcrossings in Placer County: Crystal Springs, Baxter, Drum Forebay and Cisco Grove. The structures are being demolished and rebuilt due to cracking and spalling of the concrete decks and high corrosive chloride content in the deck surfaces. All overcrossings are being widened to include 8-foot shoulders, 6-foot sidewalks and will include ramps that comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

The project includes $3.48 million in funding from Senate Bill 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. For more information about other transportation projects funded by SB 1, visit http://www.rebuildingca.ca.gov.

Project construction began in April 2021 with completion expected in summer 2023. Walsh Construction of Concord is the prime contractor.

The department will issue construction updates on Twitter @CaltransDist3, on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3 and on the Caltrans District 3 website. For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans’ QuickMap quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play.

Source: Caltrans