Construction to close busy Highway 50 section in Sacramento area for more than 3 days
Update: Cold, wet weather delayed the closure of a busy portion of Highway 50 in West Sacramento. Read the latest news here.
A key stretch of Highway 50 will be closed for 79 hours due to ongoing construction, according to the California Department of Transportation.
Several lanes will be closed beginning Friday, March 7, and last through the weekend.
“The extended lane closures will help to minimize the duration of the work and improve workers’ safety,” Caltrans said in a Wednesday news release.
The agency advised motorists to plan for extra time when traveling during the “extended weekend connector closure.”
Where is Highway 50 construction?
The Yolo Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 50 Pavement Rehabilitation Project aims to “rehabilitate and repair” the roadway in and around West Sacramento, Caltrans said, to “improve safety and ride quality.”
The construction zone on Interstate 80 stretches from 1.4 miles east of Mace Boulevard to Pioneer Bridge. Work is also being done on Highway 50, from Interstate 80 to the Jefferson Boulevard overcrossing.
The $280 million project includes $47 million in funding from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, Caltrans said.
Which freeway lanes will be closed? When?
All eastbound lanes of Highway 50 will close from just east of the Yolo Causeway to the Jefferson Boulevard off-ramp and interchange with Highway 275, Caltrans said.
The Highway 50 lanes will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday, March 7, through 5 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, according to the state road agency.
Which detours can I take to avoid roadwork?
Caltrans suggested two main detours for motorists seeking to avoid roadwork:
- Use Exit 81 on Enterprise Boulevard
- Continue onto eastbound Interstate 80 and take Exit 83 on Reed Avenue
Do I have to slow down in work zones?
According to Caltrans, the speed limit in the construction zone was reduced to 55 mph to protect construction crews and motorists.
According to California Vehicle Code 22362, it is illegal to exceed the posted speed limit in highway construction zones even if workers are not present.
Speed limits on highways are typically reduced by 10 mph from the normal limit when under construction. Some work areas can have speed limits up to 25 mph lower than usual.
Drivers caught speeding can be ticketed and fined, with the penalty depending on their speed.
Other tips for driving in work zones
Caltrans provided tips for safely navigating work zones:
- Don’t change lanes unnecessarily.
- Avoid using mobile phones while driving in work zones.
- Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
- Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
- Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
- Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
- Anticipate lane shifts, and merge when directed to do so.
- Watch for workers; drive with caution.
This story was originally published March 3, 2025 at 11:38 AM.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly described the Highway 50 closure area. The closure affects eastbound Highway 50 from its junction with Interstate 80 to the Jefferson Boulevard off-ramp.
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