Caltrans updates District 6 and 9 project timelines, signals summer starts for several Kern County jobs

Shane Gunn, acting deputy district director for Caltrans District 6, provided an update to the Kern Council of Governments Transportation Planning Policy Committee on statewide and local projects, construction milestones and grant opportunities.

Why it matters: Caltrans project schedules and permitting constraints shape local traffic impacts, right‑of‑way efforts and short‑term construction planning across Kern County.

Key District 6 updates Gunn reported: - Southbound State Route 99 to westbound State Route 58 connector ramp: team is working toward the 30% PS&E milestone scheduled for the end of the month. - Bakersfield Freeway Connector (Route 58 to 99): facilities are open to traffic and the project is about 95% complete; final punch‑list work is expected so the team still targets fall 2025 for project closeout. - SR‑58 CAPM (post miles 59–77): project at 30% P&ED with P&ED completion anticipated by winter of the year. - California Aqueduct (Route 166) bridge rehab: contract awarded to Granite Construction; Caltrans is awaiting encroachment permits from the Department of Water Resources (DWR); target construction start is July or August with completion hoped for next summer, Gunn said. - Several rehabilitation and CAPM projects (Bakersfield 99 Rehab South, Maricopa CAPM, Pumpkin Center 3R, Kern 33 rehab north of McKittrick) have staged P&ED, right‑of‑way or construction milestones scheduled through 2025 and into 2026.

Gunn also announced grant and program notices: the U.S. DOT Safe Streets for All Notice of Funding Opportunity was live with applications accepted through June 26; Gunn offered district support and said, “If required, we would be happy to provide, issue a letter of support, at the district level. And if you're interested in doing that, please reach out to me.”

District 9 updates: A District 9 representative (Miss Carr) reported that a new Tehachapi maintenance station will have a ribbon‑cutting May 6, and that recently completed lighting replacements and barrier repairs on multiple segments of SR‑58 and US‑395 were wrapping up. Carr listed near‑term work at Tehachapi Pass, crack sealing, lane closures and local utility pull maintenance and noted the district compiled a comment matrix for the OWP that was sent to District 6 in March.

Questions and follow‑up: Committee member Gilbert Reyna asked for more information and a link about Safe Streets funding; Gunn replied he would provide the requested materials. No formal actions were taken on project updates during the meeting.

Provenance: The Caltrans report opened with the item label “Caltrans report, District 6” and closed when a presenter stated, “that is the end of the updates from Caltrans.”

Ending: Committee members thanked Caltrans staff and were invited to contact district staff for additional project and funding details; several projects noted will require further permitting and right‑of‑way steps before construction can begin.