Highway 41 in Madera set for major construction. How it impacts the commute
One major road improvement project in southeast Madera County is coming to a close. But two others are looming, so don’t expect the rush hour traffic jams on Highway 41 to end anytime soon.
Caltrans said it has a May completion target for the $31.4 million rehabilitation of Highway 41 between Highway 145 and Avenue 15. But Madera County will be taking the lead on two more projects in the area that are close to starting construction.
One project, the widening of Avenue 12 from Highway 41 to Road 40, is expected to begin in June and could take 18 months to complete. A second project, the widening of Highway 41 from Avenue 10 1/2 to Avenue 15, is expected to begin early 2026 and could take two years to complete.
Traffic congestion on Highway 41 — increased by population growth at the Riverstone and Tesoro Viejo communities — includes tens of thousands of vehicles passing through each day. The stretch of Avenue 12 that approaches Highway 41 from the west has long been called a dangerous road for drivers, and has been the site of numerous deadly crashes in recent years.
“The added lanes and traffic control on both projects will enhance safety, shorten delays, and reduce congestion in the (southeast) Madera County area, and lessen the associated air quality impacts and costs to the motoring public,” Dominic Tyburski, Madera County Public Works director, said in an email.
Until then, drivers looking forward to the safer flow of vehicles will have to deal with some traffic-slowing measures.
Impact to commuters, neighbors
During construction, Tyburski said, traffic staging should keep the same number of lanes open that exist today. But drivers will encounter traffic controls and road signs that impact through speeds, he said.
“There won’t be officially signed detours, but the suggestion to seek alternate routes to avoid congestion is valid,” Tyburski said.
Before Caltrans implemented a through-right turn from Avenue 12 onto Highway 41, he said, drivers were already using Road 40 and Business 41 to avoid congestion.
“I would expect that could resume,” Tyburski said.
He said the Rolling Hills community — immediately west of Highway 41 and south of Riverstone — “likely won’t be impacted by traffic through the neighborhood. But the community likely will be impacted by congestion around the Avenue 10 and Lanes Bridge intersection, he said.
Avenue 12 improvements
The Avenue 12 project will span the northern boundary of the Riverstone community from Highway 41 to Road 40.
The improvements will make Avenue 12 into a 6-lane road from Highway 41 to Riverstone Boulevard Southeast. From there, it would transition into a 4-lane road through Road 40.
The entire stretch will receive a raised medium. There will traffic signals placed at Riverstone Boulevard Southeast and Riverstone Boulevard Southwest. Plans also include adding two lanes for drivers to turn right from Avenue 12 onto Highway 41.
District 1 Madera County Supervisor Jordan Wamhoff told The Bee this project is worth a total of about $30 million.
Highway 41 improvements
The Highway 41 improvements will turn this major route into a 4-lane highway from Avenue 10 1/2 to Avenue 15, a span of more than four miles.
At Highway 41’s intersection with Avenue 12, there will be two left-turn lanes in all directions, two right-turn lanes for eastbound drivers entering Highway 41 from Avenue 12, and one right-turn lane for all other directions.
At Highway 41’s intersection with Avenue 15, there will be two left-turn lanes for northbound, southbound and westbound drivers. For eastbound drivers, there will be one left-turn lane. There will be one right-turn lane for all directions.
Tyburski, the county’s public works director, said the construction and right-of-way acquisitions for this project will cost up to an estimated $150 million.
This story was originally published April 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM.
