SLO County Road Hazard: Underpass Project Delayed Again

Construction on the Wellsona Road Safety Improvement Project, a critical $12.2 million endeavor north of Paso Robles, has encountered further delays. Caltrans now expects the new underpass beneath Highway 101 to be completed in the spring, pushing back the originally projected early 2026 finish date. The extended timeline is a direct result of recent atmospheric river storms that significantly hampered construction efforts during the holiday season.

The project, initiated to address the intersection's history of severe collisions, aims to enhance safety by constructing a new underpass and connecting frontage roads. This intersection has been identified as the second-deadliest crossroads in San Luis Obispo County, with eight fatalities recorded between 2014 and 2024. The underpass will prevent drivers from making left turns across oncoming traffic, thereby reducing the risk of broadside and left-turn merge collisions.

Originally planned in 2017 and funded in 2020 with an initial groundbreaking anticipated in winter 2022, the project faced its own set of preliminary delays, primarily related to securing land-use permits. After breaking ground on January 14, 2025, the project's completion is now set for late April. Remaining work includes finishing the northbound bridge, building the San Paso Circle, and installing electrical systems and lighting.