California Department of Transportation has begun construction on the $57.1 million Manzanar Pavement Project along U.S. Route 395 in Inyo County, with work officially starting Monday near the town of Independence.
.jpg)
The highway improvement project will repave 44 lane miles of roadway stretching from approximately 2.5 miles south of the Manzanar National Historic Site Visitor Center through Independence and north to Fish Hatchery Road near the Fort Independence Reservation.
Caltrans officials said the project is designed to improve roadway conditions, pedestrian safety and overall traffic operations in the corridor. Construction is tentatively scheduled for completion in March 2027.
In addition to pavement rehabilitation, the project includes several pedestrian and safety upgrades throughout Independence. Planned improvements include a pedestrian-activated rectangular rapid flashing beacon with a mast arm at Market Street, sidewalk bulbouts at multiple locations and the installation of new traffic signs.
Motorists traveling through the corridor should expect delays and modified traffic patterns during construction activities.
According to Caltrans, one lane on U.S. 395 through Independence will remain open in each direction during the project. Beginning May 18, northbound traffic will shift to the inside southbound lane approximately two miles south of the Manzanar National Historic Site through a temporary crossover configuration.
Speed limits will also be reduced during construction. Drivers will encounter a 55 mph speed limit outside Independence and a 25 mph limit within town limits.
Construction crews are scheduled to work Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with brief traffic delays anticipated throughout the work zone.
Caltrans urged drivers to remain alert in construction areas and follow posted safety measures.
“Travelers are asked to be attentive to workers on the highway, slow for the cone zone, and move over whenever possible to give additional clearance,” the agency said in its project announcement.
The Manzanar Pavement Project is funded through a combination of federal and state transportation programs aimed at improving roadway infrastructure and resiliency.
The project received $44.64 million in August 2025 through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Under the legislation, California is expected to receive approximately $41.9 billion over five years for transportation upgrades and infrastructure modernization.
Federal funding from the law supports roadway rehabilitation, bridge improvements, freight transportation projects, public transit enhancements and resiliency initiatives related to severe weather and climate impacts.
An additional $5.78 million was provided through California’s Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, commonly known as Senate Bill 1. The legislation generates approximately $5 billion annually for transportation projects across the state.
Caltrans District 9 officials said work schedules may change due to weather, equipment availability, traffic incidents or other construction-related issues.
The agency encouraged travelers to use the state’s QuickMap traffic information system to monitor real-time roadway conditions and construction updates.
Originally reported by Caltrans in California Government.
