Caltrans to close two downtown Sacramento freeway ramps for weeks. Here’s why

Dominique Williams
·2 min read
2

The California Department of Transportation is planning for long-term closures of two ramps along the westbound Highway 50 portion of the W-X Freeway in downtown Sacramento.

The 10th Street exit and 15th Street on-ramp are expected to be closed for four and two weeks, respectively, for concrete pavement work.

Motorists driving toward San Francisco on the W-X Freeway, which is signed as Highway 50, will be directed to the 26th Street and 16th Street exits. Motorists entering the freeway will be directed to the Fifth Street on-ramp.

Both closures will begin Sunday night as part of the ongoing $471 million Fix50 project to expand 14 new miles of HOV lane and rehabilitate 54 miles of pavement on the freeway from the I-5 interchange to the Watt Avenue interchange.

One on-ramp and one offramp along the W-X Freeway (Highway 50) in Sacramento will be closed for concrete pavement work over a period of weeks.
One on-ramp and one offramp along the W-X Freeway (Highway 50) in Sacramento will be closed for concrete pavement work over a period of weeks.

The project includes new sound walls, drainage improvements, lighting and “intelligent transportation system” elements, according to Caltrans.

Motorists traveling through the work zone should expect lane restrictions and a reduced speed limit of 55 mph, Caltrans said in a news release. The speed limit will be enforced at all times as crews will be working day and night.

“Full ramp closures will reduce the need for construction operations at night, minimizing noise from heavy equipment, and expedite the work schedule,” Caltrans said in a news release.

California Highway Patrol officers will be enforcing traffic in the area, Caltrans said.

What’s the name of the freeway?

The portion of the freeway where work will be taking place is alternately known as the Capital City Freeway, the W-X Freeway and the Interstate 80 Business Loop, but the elevated freeway that cuts through downtown and midtown was once known as Interstate 305 for federal funding purposes. It was first completed in 1968 at a cost of $10 million to connect I-5 and Highway 99 through the city’s central grid.

In 2016, Caltrans changed signage to mark the roadway only as Highway 50 — that keeps the signs consistent between the Interstate 80 split in West Sacramento and the rest of Highway 50, which runs 3,073 miles to Ocean City, Maryland.

The Capital City Freeway continues north onto unsigned Highway 51 to reconnect with I-80 in Arden Arcade and North Highlands as Highway 50 continues east toward El Dorado County.

Work is subject to change for traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment or materials, or construction-related issues. Visit the QuickMap on the Caltrans website for current road conditions or call the California Highway Information Network automated phone service at 800-427-7623 (GAS-ROAD).