Lone Pine News: Caltrans Plans $12.4 Million U.S. 395 Upgrades with Crosswalk and Drainage Work

LONE PINE NEWS | TRANSPORTATION & ACCESSIBILITY | 2026 — Lone Pine, Inyo County, California.

A major Caltrans plan for the northern stretch of U.S. 395 near Lone Pine calls for repaving and upgrades to pedestrian access, drainage and roadside safety. The North Lone Pine Pavement Project has an estimated cost of $12.421 million, according to Caltrans District 9’s current public project page.

Where the improvement corridor is located

Caltrans describes work covering approximately 4.2 lane-miles of U.S. 395 from Locust Street to about 0.2 miles north of Cemetery Drive near Lone Pine. The project focuses on rehabilitating worn pavement and drainage features, with additional work on the approaches and crossings used by pedestrians.

What pedestrians could gain

The scope includes new or rebuilt sidewalks, upgraded curb ramps and driveways compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, better crosswalk visibility, curb extensions and bulb-outs. A rectangular rapid flashing beacon is also planned to alert drivers to pedestrians at a crossing. These changes can affect how safely residents and visitors navigate the busy highway corridor.

Road and utility elements

The project description also calls for guardrail improvements, new or upgraded signs, drainage rehabilitation, utility-pole relocation and 6-inch skip rumble strips. These components require coordination with utilities and road users. The final placement of traffic devices should be checked against the approved engineering plans rather than inferred from a high-level scope summary.

2026 schedule and procurement

Caltrans lists March 2026 for right-of-way certification, July 2026 for advertising and October 2026 as the planned start of construction. Its contracting portal separately lists an Inyo County project advertised in September 2026, with a bid due October 22 and work near Lone Pine involving asphalt, culverts and minor concrete. The schedule remains subject to change, and an advertisement is not proof that active roadway construction has already begun.

What residents should watch next

As the project progresses, readers need the final contract amount, contractor, construction traffic controls, access to businesses and pedestrian routes, and a schedule for utilities and drainage work. Lone Pine News will distinguish construction plans from actual road closures and will link to current official announcements instead of presenting old dates as active conditions.

Official sources

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