55-Hour Lane Closure Hits Highway 50 at I-5 in Sacramento

Eastbound lanes to be reduced to two open lanes for joint seal replacement work

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A 55-hour lane reduction is scheduled this weekend on eastbound U.S. Highway 50 at the Interstate 5 interchange in downtown Sacramento as construction continues on the Fix50 project. Crews will be removing and replacing a joint seal assembly on the bridge deck, resulting in eastbound Highway 50 being reduced to two open lanes at the I-5 interchange.

Why it matters

The lane closures will cause significant traffic delays and congestion in the area, impacting commuters and travelers passing through Sacramento. The Fix50 project aims to rehabilitate pavement and add high-occupancy vehicle lanes, but the construction work continues to disrupt traffic flow.

The details

According to Caltrans officials, the lane reductions are set to start at 10 p.m. on Friday and continue through 5 a.m. on Monday. Eastbound Highway 50 will be reduced to two open lanes, lanes one and two, at the I-5 interchange. Lanes three and four will be closed in the work area. Additionally, lane one on the southbound I-5 connector to eastbound Highway 50 will be closed, while lane two will remain open. A lane shift will also be in place on the northbound I-5 connector to eastbound Highway 50.

  • The lane reductions are scheduled to start at 10 p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2026.
  • The lane closures are expected to continue through 5 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2026.

The players

Caltrans

The California Department of Transportation, responsible for the construction and maintenance of state highways, including the Fix50 project.

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What they’re saying

“The ongoing work is part of a project to rehabilitate pavement and add 14 lane miles of high-occupancy lanes from the US 50/Interstate 5 interchange to the US 50/Watt Avenue interchange.”

— Caltrans (fox40.com)

“Motorists traveling through Sacramento are urged to use an alternate route, expect delays and allow extra travel time. Drivers were also reminded to stay alert in work zones and follow posted warning signs.”

— Caltrans (fox40.com)

What’s next

Caltrans stated that construction schedules are subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, equipment availability, or other construction-related issues. Motorists should check for updates and plan their routes accordingly.

The takeaway

The 55-hour lane closure on Highway 50 at the I-5 interchange in Sacramento is part of the ongoing Fix50 project, which aims to improve the highway infrastructure. However, the construction work will cause significant traffic disruptions and delays for commuters and travelers in the area, highlighting the need for effective traffic management and communication with the public during major infrastructure projects.