California Construction News staff writer
Construction has begun on the State Route 41 Expressway Project, a $130 million transportation improvement effort that county officials say is the largest infrastructure project in Madera County history.
The project, announced last week, will widen a 4.6-mile segment of SR 41 between avenues 10½ and 15, a heavily traveled corridor used by local residents, commuters and millions of visitors traveling to Yosemite National Park each year.
County officials also launched a new website, 41expressway.com, to provide real-time construction updates, project maps, videos and traffic information throughout the project’s duration. Construction is expected to continue through May 2028.
Led by Madera County in coordination with Caltrans and regional partners, the project is intended to reduce traffic congestion, improve travel times and accommodate future residential and commercial growth along the corridor.
Planned improvements include widening the highway from two lanes to four, constructing a new southbound bridge over Avenue 11, expanding the intersection and upgrading the traffic signal at Avenue 12, and modifying the existing intersection at Avenue 15.
Officials said the project will improve safety and traffic flow on one of the region’s most important transportation routes while supporting continued economic development in Madera County.
