Part of Highway 41 will shut down for 3 days. Take these detours to avoid roadwork
A 20-mile chunk of Highway 41 will shut down for days, temporarily cutting off a major roadway for drivers traveling between San Luis Obispo County and Fresno.
The freeway closure is part of a $147 million construction project on the Cholame “Y” interchange, an area of Highway 46 that has been dubbed “Blood Alley.”
A total of 11 people died in crashes at or near the Y-shaped intersection from 2014 through 2024, resulting in a traffic fatality rate higher than the statewide average, according to previous Tribune reporting.
Construction crews are working to expand the two-lane highway into a four-lane expressway at the crossroads, according to the California Department of Transportation,
Caltrans estimates that traffic delays due to construction could add more than a hour to your commute.
Here’s how to avoid roadwork and limit impacts on your travel time:
Where will Highway 41 closed due to construction?
Highway 41 will be closed between Highway 46 East and Reef Station near Highway 33, according to a Caltrans news release.
All businesses near the Highway 46 East corridor will remain open during the three-day closure, the state road agency said.
When will freeway be blocked to traffic?
Highway 41 will be shut down due to construction from Tuesday, June 10, through Thursday, June 12, Caltrans said.
Which detours can I take to avoid roadwork?
Travelers headed east on Highway 46 will drive to Highway 33 before reaching Highway 41, according to Caltrans.
Drivers who are traveling south on Highway 41 will take a detour onto Highway 33 to get to Highway 46, the state agency said.
“Delays resulting from this detour are not expected to exceed 90 minutes,” Caltrans said. “Travelers should plan their travel times accordingly.”
How long will alternate route take?
According to Google Maps, the 20-mile stretch of Highway 41 typically takes about 21 minutes to drive without traffic.
However, travel times will be more than doubled for motorists using the alternate route.
Google Maps indicated that the suggested route would take people about 48 minutes to drive without any traffic.
Why is SLO County highway closing for 3 days?
The major construction project is for a new Highway 46/Highway 41 Interchange in Cholame in northern San Luis Obispo County.
Caltrans said the upcoming closure must be done to complete connections between the new interchange and Highway 41.
“This project is part of a widening of Highway 46 East from west of Davis Road to west of Antelope Road,” Caltrans said in the release.
Construction will eventually result in the elimination of the at-grade intersection of Highway 46 and Highway 41, Caltrans said.
Once complete, the elevated interchange at the Cholame “Y” will carry drivers over Highway 46 and merge them onto Highway 41 toward Fresno.
Atkinson Construction in Irvine is the contractor for the $147 million project, the state road agency said.
When will roadwork be complete?
Caltrans said the highway widening project is expected to be finished by spring 2026.
This story was originally published June 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Part of Highway 41 will shut down for 3 days. Take these detours to avoid roadwork."
