100% closure I-50 to Sacto next weekend
March 01, 2025
Expect cut thru traffic in Davis, Woodland, West Sac
By Alan “Lorax” Hirsch & Caltrans
The essence of Thursdays Caltrans press release is simple, but its repercussions to hundreds of thousands of people are wider ranging: “I-50 east bound to Sacto in West Sacramento will be 100% closed (after the split) for 3 1/2 days, from Fri. 3/7 9pm to Tues. 3/11 5am.
Its impacts will be felt by hundreds of thousands of travelers- including Sac airport users from Yolo/Solano now facing congestion on I-5 causeway, workers on Monday, and of course Tahoe vacationers on Friday & Saturday. Those dependent on the bus will also be affected:
80,000 cars cross the Yolo causeway-- each direction -- every day.
There will also be an impact on local travel inside Davis, West Sacramento, and Woodland. Local residents can expect cut thru traffic delays as, traffic is likely to backup over the causeway deep into Davis and traffic will cut up Pole Line and 113 and backup the I-5 Causeway to the airport as has happen on other occasions. And of course south Mace in Davis will likely be effected. West Sac travel on West Capitol and Industrial & Jefferson will be “affected” as they parallel the closed freeway section- as will Yolo buses that use this segment.
Below is the full Caltrans Press Release including a map routing Freeway traffic onto local streets in West Sacramento.
The Official Press Release
The official Caltrans press release begin with a headline helpfully suggesting: “Expect delays”
“Caltrans YOLO COUNTY: Caltrans is alerting motorists of an upcoming extended weekend connector closure for the ongoing Yolo Interstate 80 (I-80) and U.S. Highway 50 (US-50) Pavement Rehabilitation Project. (Note: this is not the $465 million widening project who’s construction has not even begun- but a pavement rehab project).
“Construction work will include a full closure of eastbound US-50 after crossing the eastbound I-80 Yolo Causeway from Davis in Yolo County. Caltrans urges motorists to plan for additional travel time.
SCHEDULED CLOSURE:
- 9 p.m. Friday, March 7 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, March 11
DETOUR:
- Local traffic heading to West Sacramento can use Enterprise Boulevard (EXIT 81) or continue to eastbound I-80 and use Reed Avenue (EXIT 83).
“The work zone is from just west of the Yolo Causeway along I-80 and US-50 in West Sacramento. The speed limit has been reduced to 55 miles per hour 24/7 for the safety of workers and motorists. Work is scheduled to begin as listed but is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather conditions, availability of equipment and/or materials, and construction-related issues.
“The extended lane closures will help to minimize the duration of the work and improve workers’ safety.
“This $280 million project includes $47 million from Senate Bill (SB 1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually, shared equally between state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects partially funded by SB 1. To view the latest news and information on state and federal infrastructure investments, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov, which contains data on state and federal funding.” Annotation: This work is not the $465 Million construction for the I-80/.I-50 Widening project that is not yet started.
“Caltrans District 3 (Marysville) is responsible for maintaining and operating 4,385 lane miles in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. Caltrans reminds motorists to “Be Work Zone Alert” and slow in construction zones for the safety of travelers and crews performing these improvements.
“The department will issue updates on X @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3. For real-time traffic information, click on Caltrans’ QuickMap or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play.(see image above).
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Likely Local City Impacts (annotation)
if you are going to airport, allow at another hour(?) from Davis as traveler easts will be cutting north to Woodland and I-5 to avoid West Sac.
Intercity bus service provided by Amtrak and Flix bus also will be a “affected” as they say.
Leave early Friday if you are planning to go to Tahoe or anywhere in central valley and expect more afternoon/evening congestion as Bay Area and Solano county residents will also be doing so to beat the 9pm closure.
Amtrak Train fares to Sacramento ($10 from Davis) will not be lowered as a mitigation. This was done when I-50 work was done in Sacramento but Yolo county electeds have not lobbied for such support.
Thank you for posting this! I live in Davis and work for the State, in downtown Sac. After decades of commuting by bus, bike, and/or train, I’m sorry to say that I now drive 3 days a week because there are even fewer a.m. eastbound Capitol Corridor trains than pre-pandemic. Good point about the value of lowering train fares during this period. If only we really cared about getting people to ride the trains and out of their cars.
If my employer, a state agency, were humane and proactive, I’d expect it to tell staff to work from home on Monday, March 10. I won’t hold my breath.
Posted by: State worker | March 02, 2025 at 03:23 PM
State worker: Good news, the Capitol Corridor plans to add two round-trips on weekdays, tentatively in May, and a third round-trip later this year. This will bring the total number of round-trips to 15, which is approaching hourly service. There are potential delays to the implementation regarding delivery of new equipment and negotiations with stakeholders -- however, the increases will happen. With additional equipment and some capital upgrades in the works, the potential for regularly-spaced hourly service most of the service day could be implemented within the next few years.
Posted by: Alan C. Miller | March 03, 2025 at 10:28 AM