Caltrans has started a $13.4 million project to make a stretch of Freeway 41 in Fresno less congested and much safer than it is now.

The plan calls for the addition of an auxiliary lane on northbound 41 from the Ashlan Avenue on-ramp to the Shaw Avenue off-ramp.

In addition, the project will widen the Shaw northbound off-ramp to two lanes to accommodate the new auxiliary lane.

Dangerous Stretch of Freeway

In their funding request, Caltrans officials said improvements were needed because of congestion and the prevalence of rear-end collisions on the segment.

Data from 2013 to 2015 revealed that fatality, injury, and accident rates were higher than the statewide average for similar roadways with comparable traffic.

There were 91 accidents during that period. And, the total fatality plus injury accident rate per million vehicle miles traveled was 0.84 compared to the state average of 0.30.

An environmental review for the improvements was completed in October 2019, and the design was finished about two years later.

Caltrans expects —weather permitting — for the project to wrap up in December 2024.

Slow for the Cone Zone

Always slow down and stay alert for the unexpected in road work zones.

California’s “Move Over” law requires all drivers to move over a lane if safe to do so, or if unable to do so safely, slow down when they see amber flashing lights on Caltrans vehicles, law enforcement, other emergency vehicles, and tow trucks. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to $1,000, plus points on your driving record.

In 2020, nearly 7,000 work-zone crashes occurred on California roadways, resulting in more than 3,000 injuries and nearly 100 fatalities.

Watch: Remembering Caltrans Workers Killed on the Job