New Route 99 bypass/exit north of Chowchilla

[TheStranger]

Saw this under construction today:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/csampang/10340286724/in/set-72157636676683316

This would also involve the addition of a new Exit 179 for Le Grand Road, so it's located approximately here:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Silveira+Way+%26+Le+Grand+Rd&hl=en&ll=37.226091,-120.374451&spn=0.018829,0.028024&sll=37.223973,-120.370245&sspn=0.037658,0.056047&t=h&hnear=E+Le+Grand+Rd+%26+Silveira+Way,+California&z=15

From CAHighways:

In Spring 2012, Caltrans put out for bid a project to reconstruct the freeway, interchanges, and bridges near Chowchilla from the Chowchilla River bridge to Buchanan Hollow Road. This is replacement and repair of one of the last nice expressway sections on Route 99. There are also a couple of sections of single-slab concrete visible near Buchanan Hollow Road where the expressway bends away from the tracks

Anyone know when this will be planned for completion, and what will happen to the existing expressway alignment?

[NE2]

http://www.mcagov.org/presentations/2011/MCRTprojects.pdf pp. 6-7

[agentsteel53]

I actually saw guide signs for Le Grand Road on the new alignment as I drove the current one this previous Saturday, so I am guessing it is pretty near completion.

[TheStranger]

A couple of planning PDFs from a few years back:

http://www.mcagov.org/programs/trans/MAPS/2008/oct/ARB.pdf - Project area map

http://www.mcagov.org/programs/trans/MAPS/ArbFwy.pdf  - strip diagram showing Le Grand Road's new interchange, and the realignment work on nearby Arboleda Road

And two links from the CalTrans website:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist10/d10projects/arboleda/index.htm
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/12pr101.htm

[KEK Inc.]

Is this the last at-grade intersection between Sactown and Bakedfield?  Could I-9 be a thing after this project is complete?

[NE2]

Is this the last at-grade intersection between Sactown and Bakedfield?

:420:

I think so.

Could I-9 be a thing after this project is complete?

Interstate standards go beyond lack of at-grades.

[KEK Inc.]

Interstate standards go beyond lack of at-grades.

Not in California. 

[NE2]

Yes they do. California is full of grandfathers.

[emory]

There might be exit ramps that need upgrading as well. It's why I-15 becomes CA 15 when crossing I-8 in San Diego.

[TheStranger]

There might be exit ramps that need upgrading as well. It's why I-15 becomes CA 15 when crossing I-8 in San Diego.

Further north on 99 - at Buhach Road in Atwater - is one such example (which is another active project, the "Atwater-Merced Expressway" segment), due to the rather difficult left-exit diamond on the southbound side.

[Alps]

Yes they do. California is full of grandfathers.

Florida is, too.

[emory]

Yes they do. California is full of grandfathers.

Florida is, too.

and modern Interstates with permission to retain outdated standards.

[Alps]

Yes they do. California is full of grandfathers.

Florida is, too.

and modern Interstates with permission to retain outdated standards.

Less so in Florida. Actually can't think of any offhand, since the possibly sketchiest part of I-275 was redone years ago.

[NE2]

Jax might still have some substandard I-95.