Traffic Alert: Caltrans Starts Work On US 101 Hearn Ave. Overcrossing

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — As part of the U.S. Highway 101 and Hearn Avenue Interchange Project, Caltrans started clearing vegetation this week in the construction zone along the Hearn Avenue overcrossing between Corby Avenue and Santa Rosa Avenue.

The work started Wednesday and will continue along the north and south side of Hearn Avenue overcrossing. A temporary staging area in the far-right eastbound traffic lane on the Hearn Avenue overcrossing is required to accomplish this work.

Until further notice and for the next few weeks, motorists traveling on the overcrossing above U.S. 101 heading eastbound toward Santa Rosa Avenue will need to merge into the far-left traffic lane.

"Motorists should expect delays, slow down in the construction zone and watch for construction signs, crews and equipment," Caltrans District 4 Spokesperson Vince Jacala said.

The clearing is part of a larger project to relieve traffic congestion and improve regional traffic operations by replacing the U.S. 101 and Hearn Avenue Interchange between Corby Avenue and Santa Rosa Avenue in Santa Rosa.

U.S. 101 Hearn Avenue Interchange Project

The U.S. 101 Hearn Avenue Regional Multi-modal Interchange Project will demolish and reconstruct the Hearn Avenue interchange overcrossing in the same location to increase vertical clearance over U.S. Highway 101, widen the overcrossing to provide two vehicle lanes in each direction, a median, sidewalks, and Class II and Class IV bikeways that will extend to Corby Avenue and Santa Rosa Avenue.

The project will also widen the southbound U.S. 101 off-ramp with turning lanes at its intersection with Corby Avenue, add lanes at the intersections of Hearn Avenue/Corby Avenue and Hearn Avenue/Santa Rosa Avenue, and add pedestrian curb ramps and crosswalks that meet the requirements of the American Disability Act and incorporate protected intersection facilities for bike crossings and detection to reduce potential conflicts between bikes and vehicles.

The project is the final phase of the Hearn Avenue and Santa Rosa Avenue Complete Streets Project to provide roadway widening, and pedestrian and bicycle improvements intended to improve mobility in southern Santa Rosa.

Project Need

• Existing Hearn Avenue overcrossing is one lane in each direction with no shoulders
• Insufficient capacity for vehicles leads to queuing back onto the mainline southbound US 101 auxiliary lane during peak periods
• Congestion and lack of shoulders delays emergency response times
• No sidewalk on the north side and a discontinuous sidewalk on the south side
• No bike facilities on Hearn Ave overcrossing
• Nonstandard vertical clearance over US 101
• Non-crashworthy bridge railings

Project Benefits

• Improve local traffic circulation and regional traffic operations (resulting in improved first responder access and response time)
• Improve multimodal access, connectivity, and operations
• Improves access to essential goods, services and jobs
• Improves access to recreation
• Improves access to schools and adult educational and career development
• Improves access to public transit and transit travel times
• Improve overall safety of the facility

Schedule

Construction work is expected to start in spring 2024.