Construction will begin in August on the junction of California State Route 99 and 120 in San Joaquin, Calif. The project aims to ease traffic between eastbound 120 and southbound 99.
The project is being built by Teichert Inc. and is scheduled to be completed in summer 2026. It has a price tag of $48.2 million.
Crews will be adding a second lane to the current connector ramp and a fourth lane on southbound 99 to Austin Road. Austin Road will get a new bridge across the freeway.
The project is being led by the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) with funding coming from local tax, state and federal dollars, and COVID relief money.
The project is the first phase of an effort that could involve other parts if funding is secured. The second phase could cost approximately $28 million and open by 2033, according to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
A third phase would coast approximately $62 million and open in 2042. Both phases would widen State Route 99 and 120 and improve connector ramps at the junction.
On Wednesday, officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for the project, including Stockton Mayor Kevin J. Lincoln.
"There are over 31,000 super commuters from San Joaquin County," Lincoln said. "Every single one of those residents that commute to the Bay Area, they're benefiting from that."
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Source: CBS Sacramento, The Modesto Bee