Caltrans District 9

05/14/2026

Changes are on the way this weekend into early next week, when the next system to impact the area results in gusty winds and localized blowing dust over the weekend, with much cooler, below normal temperatures to follow early next week. Northerly winds Monday could become gusty, especially through the Lower Colorado River Valley, so plan ahead now if you’ll be on area lakes!

05/14/2026

Caltrans District 9 held its annual Workers Memorial on May 12th at the Independence Maintenance Station.

Since 1921, 195 Caltrans employees have been killed on the job, seven of them at District 9. One of the biggest hazards faced by highway workers is inattentive and distracted motorists.

The Workers Memorial is a time to remember those who lost their lives building, maintaining, and operating California’s world-class transportation system.

Don’t speed, don’t get distracted, Slow for the Cone Zone, and Be Work Zone Alert. If you can remember that when you’re behind the wheel, then you’re doing your part to make our roadways safer.

05/14/2026

Exit 165 on State Route 58 near Mojave is CLOSED 🛑 due to high winds.

05/13/2026

🚗 State Route 120 (Tioga Pass) through Yosemite National Park will reopen on Friday, May 15, at 8:00 AM.

⚠️VISITORS PREPARE: There will be limited services along the roadway through the park. Please bring food, water, and plenty of fuel.⚠️

🚗 Tioga Pass reopens Friday, May 15 at 8:00 AM!

Great news for Mono County and the Eastern Sierra: all three major passes are expected to be open for Memorial Day weekend (Tioga, Sonora, and Monitor).

📣 Local businesses: now’s the time to update your hours, post on social media, and help spread the word!

⚠️ Please help visitors prepare:
Reminder that no vehicle reservations are required this year, but visitors can and should pay their entrance fee online in advance (instead of at the gate). https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74296

Limited services will be available along Tioga Road. Encourage travelers to bring food, water, and plenty of gas. Vault and portable toilets will be available, but no drinking water or other services.

🚴 Bonus: Tioga Road will be open to bikes on Thursday, May 14 (watch for administrative vehicles), offering the rare chance to ride car-free through Yosemite to places like Tuolumne Meadows, Tenaya Lake, and Olmsted Point. Another amazing "event" to promote.

Big thanks to all the crews working hard to make this reopening possible. Yosemite National Park Caltrans District 9

05/13/2026

Unseasonably hot conditions will continue across the area, with periods of gusty winds today and tomorrow, and again to start the weekend, marked by brief cooldowns. While temperatures midweek and on Saturday will be a little cooler, they will still be well above normal for mid-May. Be sure to keep heat safety in mind, especially if you’ll be outdoors! 🥵

05/13/2026

Thank you for inviting Bishop CHP (Sgt. Cockrell) to speak at District 9 Workers Memorial in Independence.

This event memorialized the 7 workers who passed away while on the job in the history of District 9.

05/12/2026

We'd like to thank CHP - Bishop Sgt. Tyler Cockrell, Inyo County District 5 Supervisor Will Wadelton, and our own Brad Larson for speaking at today's District 9 Workers Memorial in Independence about the importance of safety for our Maintenance crews while working on the state highway system.

This event memorializes the 7 workers who passed away while on the job in the history of District 9. The black cone represents the 195 total workers statewide who have passed away while on the job in the history of Caltrans and before, including Mahdi Khorram who died in Contra Costa County in September 2025.

05/11/2026

Given the record and near record high temperatures forecast across the area today, with highs in the mid-90s and lower 100s for most (and even 80s in the mountains!), today is a great day to:

💧Stay hydrated
❄ Spend time in air conditioning
🌇Limit outdoor activities to the morning or evening
🐾Make sure your pets have plenty of water and a cool place to relax

05/11/2026

The Manzanar Pavement Project begins construction today in and around the town of Independence. This project will repave 44 lane miles of pavement on U.S. 395 from approximately 2.5 miles south of the Manzanar National Historic Site Visitor Center, through the town of Independence, to 0.3 miles north of Fish Hatchery Road near the Fort Independence Reservation.

Northbound traffic on U.S. 395 will switch to the inside southbound lane using a temporary crossover approximately 2 miles south of the Manzanar National Historic Site beginning May 18.

For more information about the project, visit https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-9/district-9-projects-list/manzanar-pavement.

05/08/2026

On this week’s update on the Meadow Farms ADA and Bishop Pavement projects, the District 9 Public Information Office shows a glimpse of the new sidewalk on the Bishop Creek Bridge and points out where traffic in the Barlow Lane intersection will be affected by drainage work in June. Caltrans is working with the contractor to finalize a date for this work. Also keep in mind that work on Bishop Pavement will pause May 19-30, so crews will wrap up work by the 19th with Mule Days approaching.

05/08/2026

SR-108, the Sonora Pass, is now open!