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Caltrans says Highway 156 project on schedule; paving waits on rubberized asphalt availability
Summary
Caltrans reported the Highway 156 improvement project is on track for fall 2025 completion but final rubberized asphalt paving must wait until May; the agency plans heavy frontage‑road work in late May in preparation for county relinquishment.
Caltrans told the San Benito County Council of Governments on March 20 that the Highway 156 improvement project remains on schedule and will move traffic to the final four‑lane configuration this summer, with all major work anticipated to finish in fall 2025.
Kelly McClendon, senior planner with Caltrans District 5, reviewed recent milestones and near‑term work. Caltrans shifted traffic onto new eastbound lanes on Oct. 24 and opened the Bixby roundabout and sections of the Union Road intersection. Contractor Tyker Construction has kept the overall schedule, McClendon said.
The agency said the next critical construction activity is placement of rubberized hot‑mix asphalt (RHMA). Caltrans staff explained that manufacturers do not begin production until late April, and temperature requirements prevent paving until May; the project team intends to use the summer months to complete final signage and pavement delineation, then switch traffic into the permanent four‑lane configuration. "We anticipate finishing the project in fall of 2025," McClendon said.
Caltrans also told the board it will begin heavier work on the project frontage road in late May to prepare the road for relinquishment to San Benito County. That frontage work will use lane closures, flagging and traffic control; Caltrans said the frontage road will remain open during the repairs.
Directors raised localized safety and wayfinding concerns. One director asked the engineering team to reassess signage and delineation through the Bixby roundabout. Another director thanked Caltrans for responsive drainage repairs at a site near Mission Farms and asked whether frontage‑road repairs could be coordinated with the opening of the final four‑lane alignment; Caltrans said coordination efforts were planned and the frontage road will remain open during work.
Ending: Caltrans said it will provide additional communications and a public contact for questions; paving is contingent on seasonal RHMA availability and so the agency plans to complete preparatory work this spring before final paving and the traffic‑switchover in summer 2025.
