Caltrans and Madera County cut ribbon on SR 99 upgrade

For The Madera Tribune

Madera city and county officials gather for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the widening of State Route 99 on Sept. 15.

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Caltrans and the Madera County Transportation Commission held a ribbon cutting ceremony today to celebrate the completion of the State Route 99 Rehabilitation Project in Madera County.

The ribbon cutting was held Sept. 15.

Nearly $66 million of this $89.1 million project was provided by Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. The project, which started in summer 2019, revitalized 23.4 lane miles, constructed 11.7 new lane miles, upgraded the Almond Avenue on-ramp, constructed 3,500 feet of drainage systems and five maintenance vehicle pullouts, installed one changeable message sign and added 25,000 feet of concrete barrier. The major impact for Madera was adding a third lane in both directions to help alleviate traffic congestion through Madera, which usually began at Avenue 17 and ended at Avenue 12.

“State Route 99 is a major freight and commercial agricultural corridor, and it endures a lot of wear and tear,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “Long-term repairs from this project will provide a safer and smoother commute for motorists.”

More than 66,000 motorists use this segment of State Route 99 every day, including more than 14,000 truckers.

“Providing an efficient route of travel is imperative for our local truckers who are transporting livestock, almonds, milk, grapes, pistachios or other goods every day for agricultural businesses in Madera County,” said Caltrans District 6 Director Diana Gomez.

Security Paving Company was the project contractor.