Caltrans outlines multiple Inyo County highway projects; proposes modular roundabout at Y Road and U.S. 6

Caltrans District 9 briefed the Inyo County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 23 on a slate of ongoing and planned highway projects across the county, including a pilot modular roundabout at Y Road and U.S. 6 in Bishop.

Christopher Andresen, public information officer for Caltrans District 9, described the Y Road project as a pilot using a modular Vortex roundabout system designed for rapid installation and later replacement if a permanent facility is warranted. “this project is gonna cost about 1,250,000.00,” Andresen said, and the agency plans construction next summer.

Caltrans said the modular design will be sized to accommodate passenger vehicles, UPS trucks, large rigs and vehicles towing trailers; oversized loads would be handled by escort vehicles temporarily removing some mid‑island signs. Caltrans cited increased local development — grocery outlet, county office building, veterinary clinic and anticipated utility‑company site work north of the intersection — and growing freight traffic as drivers of the change.

Complementary safety work: Caltrans also plans to install bike lanes on both sides of U.S. 6 between Y Road and Dixon Lane and install fencing on the southbound side to deter illegal parking and roadside dumping. Andresen said the bike‑lane work is expected to begin next month and that the lane and roundabout projects are intended to work together to slow vehicles approaching the intersection and improve bicyclist safety.

Other projects noted in the District 9 update include Lone Pine bulbouts and an overhead pedestrian‑activated hybrid beacon near Lone Pine High School; Meadow Farms ADA sidewalk work and phased Bishop pavement projects with overnight paving in spring 2026; Fish Springs pavement work south of Big Pine with lane reopening anticipated in December; completion tasks for the Electric Ortega four‑lane expressway (soon to be State Route 190) and a Manzanar pavement project starting next spring that will rehabilitate about 44 lane‑miles of U.S. 395. Andresen warned of supply delays for lighting components that could push some construction into spring if parts are unavailable.

Ending: Caltrans provided contacts and a Title VI nondiscrimination QR code for federally funded projects and encouraged residents to report roadway hazards to the online customer service system. Caltrans said it will continue public outreach on the Manor Market Complete Streets project, a separate planning effort expected to enter the environmental review and public comment stage in November.