South Avenue ramp closures scheduled

Caltrans has announced the northbound on-ramp to Interstate 5 at South Avenue will be closed 24 hours a day for 10 to 15 days starting Sept. 20, to complete construction of the new on-ramp and remove the old on-ramp. Traffic detour signs will be placed to direct traffic to either Liberal Avenue or Corning Road to access northbound I-5.

Immediately following completion and opening of the new northbound onramp, the northbound off-ramp will be closed and traffic detoured for an additional 10 to 15 days in order to complete construction of the new off-ramp, said Caltrans.

In the meantime electricians will continue the underground work for traffic signals on South Avenue at the north and southbound off-ramps from I-5 and at South Avenue and Highway 99W.

The construction project is set to improve the Interstate 5/South Avenue interchange, improve the traffic flow at the South Avenue/Highway 99W intersection and upgrade the roadway pavement.

The project cost is $4.5 million and is funded by the State Transportation Improvement Project and Proposition 1B bond funds.

Steve Rogers, Caltrans senior transportation engineer and project manager, said the project is on schedule and should be completed by December. Knife River Construction in Chico is the contractor.

Due to the cost, the project has been divided into two phases with the first already started.

Phase two will take place when funding becomes available, and includes replacement of the South Avenue overcrossing of I-5, reconstructing the southbound on- and off-ramps, and the realignment of Barham Avenue.

For questions contact Caltrans Public Information Office at 530-225-3260 or e-mail denise_yergenson@dot.ca.gov.