El Dorado 2R Rehabilitation

The El Dorado 2R Rehabilitation project involves the comprehensive reconstruction of a 11-mile segment of Interstate 5 in Fresno County, California, specifically from post mile 10.0 to 21.0 near Coalinga. The scope includes cold planing the existing pavement and replacing it with a multi-layered asphalt system: a 0.15-foot leveling course of Rubberized or Geosynthetic Pavement Interlayer Hot-Mix Asphalt, followed by a 0.25-foot layer of standard Hot-Mix Asphalt, and topped with a 0.25-foot layer of Rubberized Gap-Graded Hot-Mix Asphalt. Severely damaged Portland cement concrete panels will be removed and substituted with Hot-Mix Asphalt. Additional work encompasses the installation of inside and outside shoulder rumble strips, placement of shoulder backing, and the upgrading or replacement of guardrail systems, drainage structures, dikes, roadside signs, and Traffic Management System components to ensure safety and functionality. The project is estimated to cost $45 million and is funded through the 2024 State Highway Operation and Protection Program with potential federal aid eligibility. All work must comply with Caltrans Standard Specifications and Special Provisions, including Sections 13-1, 7-1.02K, 14-7.03, and 14-11.08, which govern soil disturbance, lead-contaminated earth handling, paleontological resource protection, and aerial lead management. Environmental compliance is central to the project, requiring preconstruction surveys by qualified biologists to identify and protect special-status species such as burrowing owls, Crotch’s bumblebee, and blunt-nosed leopard lizard. All personnel must undergo environmental awareness training before site access, and staging areas must be clearly marked with stakes or flagging approved by a biologist. Immediate notification of cultural or paleontological resource discoveries is mandatory, and work stoppages may be required. The project is subject to CEQA and NEPA review processes, and final inspection and acceptance are conducted by Caltrans personnel, including the Senior Environmental Scientist, Judith Lopez, who also serves as the point of contact, alongside the Project Manager Haisam S. Soliman. The solicitation was posted on June 10, 2026, with proposals due by July 9, 2026, and construction is scheduled for the 2027/2028 fiscal year.