By: Angela Obeso

Starting May 8, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will begin removing trees and shrubs within the U.S. Route 101/Willow Road Interchange. The removal is the first step in an upcoming reconstruction and reconfiguration project for the interchange. The work will be done during the day.

In addition, construction crews will be removing and replacing some of the old road striping within the interchange. This will require the closure of some of the lanes. That work will be done during non-commute hours. 

The $58 million project will:  

• Reconstruct and reconfigure the interchange, including replacing the overcrossing to provide eight lanes, sidewalks and dedicated bike lanes. 
• Realign and widen the off and on ramps. 
• Modify and realign frontage roads adjacent to the overcrossing to accommodate the realigned ramps and reconstruct portion of the existing sound-walls. 

Construction is expected to last about two years. The project sponsor is the City of Menlo Park. The San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) is the funding agency.

For real-time traffic, click-on Caltrans Quick Maps at: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
Or follow us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/caltransd4   

For more information about the project, check the City's project webpage and the Construction News Updates .