Caltrans closes Richards Boulevard on-ramp to eastbound I-80 June 26 | The Locally Times
The four-day closure requires a detour via Old Davis Road for the $280 million Yolo 80 Managed Lanes Project.
Caltrans District 3 will close the Richards Boulevard on-ramp to eastbound Interstate 80 in Yolo County beginning at 9 p.m. on Friday, June 26. The closure remains scheduled until 4 a.m. on Monday, July 2, to allow for the reconstruction of the on-ramp structure as part of the $280 million Yolo 80 Managed Lanes Project, which adds high-occupancy vehicle lanes to the highway corridor. ## Detour and Traffic Impacts Drivers attempting to reach eastbound I-80 from Richards Boulevard must use the westbound I-80 on-ramp to Old Davis Road. Motorists must then use the Old Davis Road turnaround to access the eastbound lanes. The June 11 Caltrans news release does not provide estimates for increased travel time or congestion levels resulting from this detour. The records do not specify if local surface streets near the detour will experience increased traffic volume during the four-day period. ## Construction Zone Safety Caltrans reduced the speed limit to 55 mph on the sections of I-80 adjacent to the construction zone. This speed limit applies to the area where crews will operate. Caltrans District 3, which manages 4,385 lane miles across 11 counties, states that these measures protect construction crews and drivers. The agency notes that the schedule remains subject to change based on weather conditions or equipment availability. ## Project Scope The Richards Boulevard ramp closure is one part of the $280 million Yolo 80 Managed Lanes Project. This project modifies traffic flow and lane usage on the I-80 corridor. The available project documentation does not specify a final completion date for the project. Caltrans provides traffic updates through the QuickMap application and the agency’s social media channels. ## Key Questions **How long will the Richards Boulevard on-ramp be closed?** The on-ramp closes at 9 p.m. on Friday, June 26, and is scheduled to reopen at 4 a.m. on Monday, July 2. **What detour should I take to reach eastbound I-80?** Caltrans directs motorists to use the westbound I-80 on-ramp to Old Davis Road, where they can turn around to merge onto eastbound I-80. **Is the highway speed limit changing?** Yes, the construction zone speed limit on the affected highway has been reduced to 55 mph for the duration of the work.