Betty Drive groundbreaking today

Caltrans will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 10 a.m. today for the $36 million State Route 99 Betty Drive Interchange Project, which will reduce congestion, increase safety and improve mobility at the highly-traveled interchange in Tulare County.

“At Caltrans, our goals always include helping motorists reach their destination safely and in a timely fashion,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “Projects like this not only deliver an immediate impact on both of those fronts, but they aim to maintain that vision as future developments occur.”

The project will realign Betty Drive and provide signal lights at ramp intersections. These improvements will reduce traffic congestion, provide greater access to and from State Route 99 and improve overall safety by reducing collisions at the interchange.

“This project would not have happened without the vital funding that Measure R is providing,” said Caltrans District 6 Director Sharri Benderehlert. “Investments like Measure R are what get local improvement projects to the construction stage, providing important highway improvements, enhancing mobility and improving safety across the Central Valley.”

Measure R was passed by the voters of Tulare County in 2006. The project is scheduled for completion in fall of 2019.