Transportation Updates

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Caltrans is improving San Benito Route 156 by constructing 5 new miles of 4-lane at-grade expressway from The Alameda in San Juan Bautista to Business Route 156 near Hollister. This project will fill a “gap” in the expressway system and provide a continuous expressway system from the connection at U.S .101 to the City of Hollister. New project features also include a roundabout at Bixby Road.

Schedule

• Environmental: October 2018
• Supplemental Environmental: September 2011
• Design/Right of Way: October 2020
• Construction Start: August 2022
• Construction End: Fall 2025
• Open to Public: Fall 2025

CONSTRUCTION ALERT – UNION ROAD 8-WEEK CLOSURE

Caltrans will be temporarily closing a short section of Union Road in the City of Hollister for approximately 8 weeks, between San Juan Hollister Road and SR 156. This closure is anticipated to take place beginning mid-July, weather permitting. Final dates will be confirmed closer to the start of the closure. This closure Is necessary to reconstruct the intersection of Union Road and SR 156, to align with the expanded SR 156 and improve access to and from the highway.

• During the closure, traffic will be required to detour via San Juan Hollister Road to access SR 156
• To accommodate increased traffic via the temporary detour, additional traffic control changes will be implemented at 4^th Street and SR 156, and San Juan Hollister Rd and 4^th Street/Business 156.

Additionally, following the anticipated reopening of Union Road in late summer, two exciting milestones will be met, as traffic on SR 156 will be shifted onto the new highway just south of the existing roadway and a new roundabout will be in operation at Bixby Road.

Click through the series of detour maps and traffic control changes, in English and Spanish, below:

PRESS RELEASES

• Union Road temporary closure between SR 156 and San Juan Hollister Road (6/19/24) – English/Español
• Highway 156 Widening Project New Signage Update (01/23/24) – English/Español
• San Benito Route 156 Improvement Project Resident Notification – Trucking Operation (08/15/23) – English/Español
• “Revision” San Benito Route 156 Improvement Project Pile Driving Operation Begins Early July (07/12/23) – English/Español
• San Benito Route 156 Improvement Project Resident Notification – Pile Driving Operations (06/15/23) – English/Español
• Highway 156 Corridor Improvement Project Continues with Flagging Operations Across Union Road (05/09/23) – English/Español
• Highway 156 Corridor Improvement Project Continues with Flagging Operations Across Union Road (04/28/23) – English/Español
• Highway 156 Corridor Improvement Project Resumes as Drier Conditions Prevail (04/20/23) – English/Español
• Highway 156 Pothole Repairs on Friday Jan. 8 to Result in Daytime Delays (01/05/23) – English/Español
• Highway 156 Corridor Improvement Project Continues with Earthwork and Soil Stabilization (12/15/22) 
• Highway 156 Improvement Project Continues with Earthworks and Soil Stabilization (11/16/22)
• Highway 156 Improvement Project Set for Road and Lane Closures (10/20/22) 
• Highway 156 Improvement Project Continues with Clearing and Fencing (10/19/22)
• Caltrans Breaks Ground on Project to Improve Highway 156 in San Benito County (10/07/22)
• Highway 156 Improvement Project Continues with Clearing and Excavation (09/22/22)
• Proyecto de mejoramiento de la carretera 156 continúa con el desbroce y la excavación (09/15/22)
• Highway 156 Improvement Project Continues with Work Behind Barriers (08/30/22)
• Proyecto de mejora de la autopista 156 de San Juan Bautista a Hollister para comenzar la construcción (08/19/22)