Caltrans to Close Highway for Two Months
By Ruth Lepper

Traffic along state Route 78 in the desert area will be taking a detour, starting Jan. 3 and lasting up to two months while California Department of Transportation widens a bridge.

The road closure, covering about seven to eight miles, will run between San Felipe Road, which also is known as county road S2, to Yaqui Pass, or county road S3. The detour may add up to one hour of additional driving time.

People who own land along SR 78 will have limited access within the construction zone during the two-month period. Proof of ownership will be required to gain access to their property, according to a statement issued by Caltrans.

"Caltrans realizes the inconvenience this closure may cause, but this work is necessary to ensure the future safety of the motoring public," it stated. "Caltrans appreciates your understanding and patience during this project."

Hayden Manning, Caltrans spokesperson, said the widening of the bridge will not add additional lanes but will be more of a retrofit, bringing the bridge up to state standards.

Care will be taken not to disturb an endangered species of bats living under the bridge. That is one of the reasons why the construction will take place during the winter months, he said.

Another reason is that the type of road materials used is easier to handle in the cooler weather, rather than during the high temperatures experienced here in the summertime.

The detour will take travelers heading east onto San Felipe Road at Scissors Crossing, then east on Montezuma Road, which is county road S22, before reaching Palm Canyon Drive, then returning to SR78 via Borrego Springs Road/Yaqui Pass.

The westerly detour will follow reverse directions.

For more information, the public information office at Caltrans can be reached at (619) 688-2556 or (619) 688-6670.