Traffic Alert: Major I-80 & Highway 50 Ramp Closures in Yolo County—What You Need to Know

If you're commuting through Yolo County or West Sacramento, brace yourself for major delays. Caltrans has announced a series of ramp closures along I-80 and Highway 50 that could disrupt your travel plans for weeks. Here’s everything you need to navigate the mess.

Which Ramps Are Closing—And When?

Caltrans is gearing up for significant construction work, leading to multiple ramp shutdowns. Here’s the breakdown:

• I-80 Westbound to Highway 50 Eastbound (Sacramento) – Closed nightly from 10 PM to 5 AM starting Monday, June 3 through Friday, June 7.
• I-80 Eastbound to Highway 50 Westbound (San Francisco) – Partial closures with one lane open during the same hours.
• Long-Term Closure: From June 10 to June 21, the on-ramp from Jefferson Boulevard to I-80 Westbound will be completely shut down for pavement repairs.

Why the Construction?

This isn’t just routine maintenance—Caltrans is making critical upgrades, including:

1. Pavement Rehabilitation – Fixing aging road conditions to prevent future potholes and cracks.
2. Safety Improvements – Enhancing guardrails and signage for accident-prone areas.
3. Traffic Flow Optimization – Adjusting merge lanes to reduce bottlenecks during peak hours.

How to Avoid the Worst Delays

If you don’t want to sit in endless traffic, consider these detours:

• For I-80 Westbound: Use the Reed Avenue exit and take surface streets to re-enter the freeway.
• For Highway 50 Eastbound: Exit at West Capitol Avenue and follow local routes.
• Public Transit: YoloBus and SacRT are increasing service—check schedules for express options.

"We urge drivers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time," says Caltrans spokesperson Rochelle Jenkins. "These improvements are necessary for long-term reliability."

What Do You Think?

• Is Caltrans doing enough to minimize disruption, or are these closures poorly timed?
• Would you support a temporary tax increase to speed up road repairs?
• Are public transit alternatives reliable enough, or will this push more people to WFH?
• Should nighttime construction be banned to reduce noise pollution for residents?

Drop your thoughts below—BNN wants to hear from you!