For the next few months commuters who frequently take Highway 198 will have to find a different route as Caltrans periodically closes down on and off ramps to complete their roadside safety project. 

Elizabeth Yelton is a Public Information Officer for Caltrans District 6. She says the cost of this project is 4.9 million dollars. 

Yelton says right now all 18th Avenue, Lemoore Avenue, and Houston Avenue on and off ramps will be closed in both directions on highway 198 from 6 a.m. till 6 p.m.

“Leave yourself extra time,” says Yelton.  “We understand this is inconvenient. But, we are trying to get through this as quickly and safely as possible.”

This project is estimated to take 130 working days. However, if another big storm system comes through it will delay this project. 

Officer Ken Bird with California Highway Patrol in Hanford says during normal commuting hours traffic will be backed up. He suggest finding an alternative ramp now rather than later. 

“They are going to be blocking off these off ramps intermittently for quite some time,” says Bird. “We just want to urge the commuters to take alternative routes.”

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