Work on Highway 99 expected to slow traffic through Lodi for months

Dec. 28—Motorists can expect a slow commute through Lodi in the coming months as crews begin safety work on Highway 99 in two weeks

Caltrans announced Wednesday that it will begin its Roadside Safety Improvement Project along the highway between Harney Lane and Turner Road the week of Jan. 8.

Crews will construct roadside safety improvements at 15 locations along the highway, including maintenance vehicle pullouts, gore and slop paving, guard rail installation and vegetation control.

Work will vary at each location, and is expected to be complete by May.

According to the agency's project website, maintenance personnel must park, walk, and work on the roadside, which exposes them to passing traffic. It also exposes the traveling public to potential conflicts with maintenance workers, vehicles, and equipment on the roadside.

The project will provide effective means to minimize or eliminate the risk of worker exposure to traffic, the agency said.

Work is scheduled to be performed during both daylight and nighttime hours, with the latter requiring seven-hour lane and on- and off-ramp closures.

Caltrans will have overhead changeable message signs or roadside signage alerting motorists of the lane closures and any required detour routes.

The $6.59 million project has been in the planning stages since 2018, and a construction contract with Vacaville-based Pacific Infrastructure Construction, LLC was approved last fall.

Caltrans said it will provide future traffic advisories and social media posts regarding scheduled lane closure locations, dates and details.

Schedules are subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and/or materials and construction related issues.

For more information, visit www.quickmap.dot.ca.gov or www.dot.ca.gov.