Major Paving Finished on Highway 70 CAPM Project

PORTOLA — Travelers on State Route 70 near Portola should see fewer construction impacts after Caltrans District 2 announced Tuesday that major paving operations and shoulder work have been completed on the Beckwourth Capital Preventative Maintenance project.

The project, known as the Beckwourth CAPM project, is a $21.7 million pavement preservation effort on Highway 70 in Plumas County. The work area runs near Portola, from 0.4 miles west of Big Grizzly Creek Bridge to 0.8 miles west of Summit School Drive, according to Caltrans.

Caltrans says the project is intended to extend the life of the highway, improve ride quality, improve safety and reliability, and reduce future maintenance needs. The work includes overlaying 24 miles of highway with hot mix asphalt, rehabilitating the highway at three locations, installing guardrail, paving three existing unpaved pullout areas, and replacing, upgrading, or repairing 19 culverts.

Other parts of the project include replacing transportation management system elements at three locations and installing new signage. A Caltrans update in May said broadband internet trenching was also part of the project work.

Although the largest and most disruptive pieces of the project are now complete, the job is not finished. Work will continue through the end of July and into early August to complete remaining elements. Drivers may still encounter occasional traffic control for guardrail installation, culvert work, sign installation, and other finishing work. Caltrans said impacts to the traveling public are expected to be minimal during the remaining phase of construction.

During construction, motorists experienced regular traffic control through the project limits, including intermittent closures for paving, striping, signage, and shoulder work. Caltrans thanked drivers and local communities for their patience and said the improvements are expected to support the roadway for years to come.