Overnight Work Starts on Highway 49 in Nevada County

GRASS VALLEY — Crews began shifting lanes westward along State Route 49 in Nevada County on Sunday, April 19, as part of staged construction on the SR 49 Corridor Improvement Project. The current working section runs from the Allison Ranch Road/La Barr Meadows Road intersection at the southern end to the McKnight Way interchange at the northern end, near Grass Valley.

During overnight hours—9 PM to 6 AM weekdays and 8 PM to 6 AM Sundays, weather permitting—traffic is reduced to one lane with alternating directions controlled by a pilot car. Drivers can expect delays, slower travel, and occasional waits as vehicles are escorted through the zone. The westward shift temporarily repositions the lanes, which may limit shoulder access and require extra caution, especially at night or for larger vehicles. Daytime impacts remain light so far, focused mainly on tree clearing and utility work, but motorists should still watch for activity along the shoulders and plan extra time for trips through the area. Caltrans urges drivers to follow all signs, slow down in work zones, and check QuickMap for real-time updates.

This early phase is part of a larger $124.9 million Caltrans corridor improvement project, developed with the Nevada County Transportation Commission, that will upgrade safety and traffic flow along the corridor through the end of 2028. The main roadway work is expected to begin in June.

When finished, the highway will feature a continuous two-way left-turn lane, dedicated right-turn lanes at intersections, 10-foot shoulders on both sides for pedestrians, bicyclists, and disabled vehicles, a northbound slow-moving truck lane, and a southbound truck-climbing lane that eliminates a problematic merge point south of McKnight Way. A new entrance to the Nevada County Transit Operations Center will also improve access for charging zero-emission buses. The upgrades address narrow existing shoulders, truck conflicts, and growing traffic demand while supporting commuting, freight, and emergency routes in the Grass Valley area.