Four year project to begin on Highway 180

Work will begin on Highway 180 on Oct. 12 to complete the final segment of the Kings Canyon Expressway, Caltrans announced. It is expected to alleviate congestion on rural streets and provide a better route between Fresno and Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.

Expected to be completed in October 2020, the $55 million project will extend the current four-lane expressway 4  1/2 miles, from Smith Avenue to Frankwood Avenue in eastern Fresno County, Caltrans said.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Oct. 12 at 11 a.m. at Thorburn Access Park in Sanger.

The project is funded partially by Measure C, a half-cent sales tax passed by Fresno County residents in 1986 and again in 2006.

This story was originally published October 2, 2017 at 8:14 PM with the headline "Four year project to begin on Highway 180."