Your walk to the sea just got better.
California travelers heading to and from the Central Coast from the Central Valley will be able to take Highway 41 from Highway 198 to Kettleman City this weekend after Caltrans rerouted them for months.
The temporary closure of the popular route has been a common theme on social media this year.
Motorists have been advised to take the Avenue Cutoff when heading to Pismo Beach or Morro Bay from the Valley, a detour in place in February.
When did Highway 41/Highway 198 reopen?
Caltrans and local partners held a news conference and ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to reopen State Route 41 from Quail Avenue to State Route 198 after a six-month closure and rerouting of traffic from 198 heading to Kettleman City.
Caltrans announced the replacement of the Stratford Kings River Bridge, the Kettleman Pavement Rehabilitation from Quail Avenue to Nevada Avenue, and the Stratford-Lemoore Pavement Rehabilitation from Nevada Avenue to State Route 19 – improvements that occurred simultaneously. The Stratford Kings River Bridge Replacement was needed to address the existing bridge’s superstructure, substructure and seismic deficiencies and ensure the safety and reliability of State Route 41. The realignment of State Route 41 was needed to preserve, repair and extend the life of the existing lanes, which showed significant distress on the existing pavement.
The bridge over the Kings River was built in 1942 and widened in 1987.
How much did the Highway 41/Highway 198 project cost?
Construction on Highway 41/Highway 198 was estimated to take 200 work days and cost $15.5 million.
This article was originally published on the Salinas Californian: Highway 41 to Morro Bay, Pismo Beach from the Central Valley opens