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Caltrans districts report project schedules, lane controls and planned closures across Kern County
Summary
Caltrans District 9 and District 6 staff updated Kern COG on project milestones including environmental review start dates, contract acceptances, localized lane controls and a planned detour for a California Aqueduct rehabilitation.
Caltrans representatives at the Kern COG meeting on Sept. 18 provided updates on multiple projects that will affect travel and construction activity across Kern County.
District 9 announced that the draft environmental document for the Cash Creek pavement project will be released for a 30‑day public review beginning Oct. 11. The speaker said the Keene pavement project is on schedule with 95% design anticipated this calendar year and that right-of-way teams have begun issuing first written offers.
Other items reported by Caltrans included contract acceptance on Sept. 10 for SR 58 slab replacements and acceptance of a related minor contract for Cal City traffic management systems. A maintenance project to replace and restore wrong‑way driver markings on State Route 58 — from just west of State Route 202 to the San Bernardino County line — is expected to begin in early October and conclude before the end of the year. Caltrans also described ongoing utility work on SR 178 west (Castle Creek Road to Scotty Park Road) with one‑way traffic control, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Friday and potential delays of about 10 minutes.
District 6 reported that the TAF/TAC (transportation analysis framework and transportation analysis under CEQA) second edition has been released and that public comment is open until Oct. 10 on the revised Caltrans System Investment Strategy (CSIS), a component of the state’s climate and infrastructure alignment process. District 6 also summarized several local projects: the Wasco SR‑46 pedestrian beacon (permit issued July 21; construction anticipated in October), SR‑46/SR‑43 intersection work with utility relocation now under way and Delano 155 rehabilitation (design complete Aug. 22; construction anticipated in 2026).
Caltrans noted the Santa Fe roundabout project in Shafter requires permits from the Bureau of Reclamation, which is expected to delay construction until March 2027. The California Aqueduct Bruce rehabilitation on SR‑166 will close the route starting Monday the 22nd with a detour expected for about 75 days; Caltrans anticipates completing the majority of rehabilitation activities by calendar year 2026.
Board members asked clarifying questions about wrong‑way markings and right‑of‑way offers on the Keene project; Caltrans staff responded that markings and signs will be restored on SR 58 and that right‑of‑way acquisitions are underway. Caltrans closed the update by listing ongoing traffic impacts and advising members to expect notices for significant detours.
