Modesto celebrates Pelandale interchange’s completion

Officials gathered Wednesday to celebrate the completion of a new Highway 99 interchange at Pelandale Avenue in north Modesto, a $54.1 million city project that they said came in on budget and a few months ahead of schedule.

The interchange replaces one built in 1970 when Modesto’s population was less than a third of what it is today. The new interchange serves as a gateway to the city and connects the highway to an important retail hub. The intersection also was designed to please the eye and includes a monument sign embossed with the words “Welcome to Modesto” and, below that, “Water Wealth Contentment Health,” the city motto.

“This interchange ... is truly an instant icon for our city,” said Mayor Ted Brandvold to the more than 60 people gathered in a field at Pelandale Avenue and Sisk Road for the ceremony.

Construction started in May 2014 and was expected to wrap up in early 2017. Public Works Director Bill Sandhu said the project is 99 percent complete and the remaining work will be finished in a few weeks.

Officials said the new interchange will ease traffic congestion. But the project was challenging for some of the nearby stores, restaurants and other businesses, which saw fewer customers during construction.

Sandhu said there is a second phase for the interchange, which entails the city acquiring the property at the southwest corner of Pelandale and Sisk to make room for an additional right-hand turn lane for eastbound Pelandale drivers turning onto Sisk and to allow for another lane on westbound Pelandale for drivers to turn left onto Sisk.

He said the bigger trucks on the road – those 65 feet and longer – cannot turn right from eastbound Pelandale onto Sisk until the additional right-hand turn lane is built.

Sandhu said he expects Modesto will receive funding for phase two from the state in July. He said the work should take six months but added the start date will be based on how long it takes the city to purchase the property, which is now home to a Carl’s Jr. restaurant.

This story was originally published October 26, 2016 at 7:52 PM with the headline "Modesto celebrates Pelandale interchange’s completion."