Caltrans outlines signal, pavement and corridor work affecting Riverbank; several projects to enter design and bidding phases

Caltrans District 10 staff on Wednesday briefed the Riverbank City Council on several upcoming roadway and safety projects that will affect parts of the city, including a signal installation on State Route 108, new traffic-management equipment near First and Fourth streets, a multi-year pavement and bike-lane project between Riverbank and Oakdale, and early coordination on the North County Corridor Phase 1.

The presentation matters because the projects include short-term lane closures and multi-year right-of-way and environmental work that will affect local traffic, construction planning and property acquisitions in some areas of Riverbank.

Daniel (identified in the meeting as a Caltrans District 10 project manager) described four primary items. First, Caltrans plans to signalize the intersection of State Route 108 and Cross Grove Avenue (EA 1K840, PM 33.3–33.8) as a safety improvement. The agency told council the project is ready to be advertised for bidding and that construction is expected to begin in summer 2025. Caltrans estimated the construction capital at about $3,000,000 and said the contract allows for up to 85 consecutive full-closure days if a contractor’s schedule requires it, though Daniel said actual closures “could be shorter.”

Second, the agency described a regional traffic management system (TMS) contract covering multiple corridors including I‑5, State Routes 33, 99, 108, 120 and 132. Caltrans said the contract covers cameras, variable message signs (CMS), vehicle detection systems and other elements at roughly 49 locations across the two counties; it noted Location 12 — First Avenue and Fourth Street in Riverbank — will receive a new vehicle-detection system and camera.

Third, Caltrans presented a Riverbank–Oakdale pavement rehabilitation project between Coffee Road and Willowwood Drive that would mill and overlay pavement, install Class II bike lanes, sidewalks, curb ramps and some traffic-signal upgrades. The project was described as a multi-year effort because of right-of-way and environmental tasks; the staff presentation listed a construction capital amount of about $4,600,000 and a total program cost of $52,000,000, and said the project was being programmed for the 2026–27 period with delivery forecast in later fiscal years. Caltrans said environmental work and right-of-way acquisitions drive the multi-year schedule.

Fourth, Caltrans noted the North County Corridor Phase 1 — a county-led corridor project — includes a four‑lane, access-controlled expressway, a new interchange at Roselle Avenue and a grade-separated structure over a Northern Santa Fe rail line and the Modesto Irrigation District Canal. Caltrans staff said the county-awarded project is in procurement and that construction is anticipated to begin in May (year not specified in the presentation); they encouraged residents to consult the project website for more details.

Council members asked several operational questions. One council member asked whether Caltrans had a transition plan between SR‑108 and the future North County Corridor; Caltrans said it would take the question and follow up. Council members also asked about an ongoing project on Patterson Road near Tractor Supply; Caltrans said traffic safety staff determined a channelizer was not the right solution and that staff are working with the city manager to identify alternatives.

Caltrans staff emphasized that some items remain preliminary (right-of-way acquisition, environmental studies and programming) and that more detailed construction and traffic-control plans will be developed with the city as each project advances.

Council members did not take formal action during the presentation; Caltrans said it will return with further details as timelines firm up and recommended residents consult specified project pages for the North County Corridor and other projects for additional documents and maps.

For the record, the presentation and initial council questions were given by Daniel, Caltrans District 10 project manager, with Erin (Caltrans public information officer) available for public-information questions. Council participation included Mayor Rachel Hernandez and Vice Mayor Fosse, along with other council members who asked technical and schedule questions.