Part of Highway 41 will close for 3 days. Here’s when and where

A 20-mile segment of Highway 41 will close for several days, temporarily shutting off a major roadway for drivers traveling between San Luis Obispo County and Fresno.

The three-day highway 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 north of Paso Robles from 2014 through 2024, resulting in a traffic fatality rate higher than the statewide average, according to previous Tribune reporting.

Crews are working to complete construction on the freeway widening project that will transform the two-lane highway into a four-lane expressway at the crossroads, according to the California Department of Transportation.

Caltrans said that detours due to construction could add up for 45 minutes to your drive.

Here’s what to know:

Where will Highway 41 closed due to construction?

Highway 41 will be close 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 shut down?

Highway 41 will be closed from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily from Tuesday, Aug. 5, through Thursday, Aug. 7, Caltrans said.

The roadway will be open to travelers during overnight hours, according to Caltrans.

What detours are available to avoid roadwork?

Travelers headed east on Highway 46 can drive to Highway 33 before reaching Highway 41 at Reef Station, according to Caltrans.

Drivers traveling south on Highway 41 can take a detour onto Highway 33 to get to Highway 46, the state road agency said.

“Delays are not expected to exceed 45 minutes as a result of this detour,” Caltrans said in the release.

Why is SLO County highway closing for 3 days?

Construction crews are working on the “widening of Highway 46 East” in the Cholame area, according to Caltrans.

The full Highway 46 widening project extends from west of Davis Road to west of Antelope Road.

Atkinson Construction in Irvine is the contractor for the $147 million project, the state road agency said.

When will roadwork be finished?

Caltrans said the highway widening project is expected to be finished by spring 2026.

This story was originally published July 29, 2025 at 1:05 PM with the headline "Part of Highway 41 will close for 3 days. Here’s when and where."