Michael Altran, a Caltrans construction public and permit officer, told a District 1 community meeting July 28 in Bishop that two Caltrans projects will add sidewalks, crossing beacons, lighting and pavement rehabilitation along North Sierra Highway and State Route 395, and that a pilot modular roundabout is planned next summer at the Why Road/Highway 6 intersection. "If our aim and contractor's aim is to keep accessibility for all local businesses," Altran said, "they can bring questions to me or Christopher, public information office chief, and we will take them to our weekly construction meetings."

Caltrans described two linked construction efforts. The Meadow Farms ADA project runs on North Sierra Highway from Barlow Lane to CV Lane and will include a 10-foot shared-use path on both sides of the highway, a wider pedestrian path across the bridge over Bishop Creek, a new bus stop near Barlow Lane and a new crosswalk with pedestrian-activated flashing beacons. Altran said the current southbound outside lane and shoulder closures in the active work area will remain until August for that section, and that the overall Meadow Farms work is being completed in distinct sections and is expected to finish in spring (no year specified in the meeting). "There are weekly construction meetings — Meadow Farms Tuesdays, Bishop Pavement Wednesdays — where we coordinate with the contractor," Altran said.

The Bishop pavement project covers U.S. 395 from Barlow Lane to Jay Street and West Line Street/State Route 168 West from just west of Pioneer Lane to 395. Its primary work is pavement rehabilitation; Caltrans also is installing drainage and electrical infrastructure and plans four pedestrian-activated crossing beacons along the 395 corridor — near the bicycle path on North Sierra Highway, at MacGyver Street by the KFC, at Clark Street and at Academy Street. Altran said businesses remain open and Caltrans contacts business owners in advance of crews moving to a new work area; Caltrans posts weekly project video updates on social media.

On the Why Road/Highway 6 intersection, Caltrans staff said they are completing a project initiation document that describes a permanent roundabout's purpose and need; that document is scheduled for completion in August (project initiation document). Separately, Caltrans will test a modular (temporary) roundabout as a pilot next summer. Caltrans staff described the modular device as quicker and cheaper to install and said the pilot will provide data on durability and driver behavior. "The modular roundabout is scheduled to be installed sometime next summer," Altran said. He added that the modular design allows large trucks to ride over flat elements of the island rather than make tight turning movements, which reduces the need for immediate right-of-way acquisition.

Caltrans said public comments already submitted on the project initiation document have been recorded and applied to planning. If a decision is later made to build a permanent roundabout, Altran said there will be public input during the project approval and environmental document phase and that Caltrans will advertise those opportunities by press release and on social media.

Residents at the meeting voiced support for pedestrian and bicycle improvements. A resident said, "Cyclists myself and I really appreciate all the work that's going to make it safer for cyclists and motorists." Trina, the District 1 representative hosting the meeting, said many residents welcome the road widening and safety improvements but raised concerns about contractor communication; Altran said Caltrans brings such concerns to the weekly construction meetings.

No formal votes or approvals were taken at the community meeting; Caltrans staff directed attendees to Caltrans contacts for questions and said they will continue publishing updates online and notifying business owners before crews move to new work areas.