Kiernan interchange demolition forcing late-night closures of Highway 99

Highway 99 will close here late at night Jan. 9 and 10 and maybe the following weekend as road crews demolish part of the bridge carrying vehicles on Kiernan Avenue over the freeway.

The Kiernan interchange is undergoing a $44 million upgrade, including construction of a new, wider crossing that will handle a lot more traffic and hopefully reduce congestion.

Highway 99 is expected to close next Friday and Saturday night from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Detour signs will guide drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians around the demolition zone.

A portion of the new bridge, recently built just north of the old span, will begin taking traffic heading west about 10 p.m. Tuesday. Workers have been installing ornamental ironwork along the new portion.

Eastbound traffic will be switched to the middle section of the old span, and its south portion will come down first. Drivers will notice changes in road elevations because the new bridge is a bit higher.

Dates and times are subject to changes in weather and availability of equipment and materials.

The work should be done by fall 2016 and includes an additional lane in each direction of Highway 99 from Kiernan to Modesto’s Pelandale Avenue interchange, which also is being rebuilt at a cost of $55 million.

The Kiernan project features new ramps, an additional bridge lane in each direction, improvements on either side of the interchange at Sisk Road and Salida Boulevard, and a pump station to carry away stormwater.

This story was originally published January 2, 2015 at 3:51 PM with the headline "Kiernan interchange demolition forcing late-night closures of Highway 99."