EL CENTRO–Caltrans continues repairs to 32 lane miles of State Route 86 (SR-86) from I Street to Brandt Road near Brawley, and from just east of B Street to Martin Road in Westmorland.
The improvements, funded from Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, resumed in late November and are expected to be completed in January. Workers have finished the dusty work of removing old pavement and have progressed to laying asphalt. Most of the new pavement has been installed on the Westmorland portion of highway. The remaining paving in Brawley is expected to be completed before the New Year. Final elements of the project include adding embankments, electrical work and striping. Crews are scheduled to work weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., excluding holidays. Signs will be posted alerting motorists to lane closures. Traffic may slow as it is routed on open lanes through the construction zone.
Driving time may also be slowed at traffic signals until vehicle detection loops in the pavement are restored at the end of the project. SR-86 is a major thoroughfare connecting several communities and moving freight to points north throughout the Imperial Valley via nearly 12,000 daily trips with more than 2,100 heavy 4-plus axle trucks that add to roadway wear and tear.
The $5.3 million project to repair and repave portions of SR-86 will help provide a safer and smoother commute for motorists
