Lassen County’s State Route 139 north of Susanville is slated for a significant $33.9 million paving project. The project will renovate a stretch of the highway extending from Chestnut Street to 2.6 miles south of Horse Lake Road in the Willow Creek Valley.
According to the state agency, the primary aim of the project is to restore SR 139 to a state of good repair, minimizing future maintenance needs through a Capital Preventive Maintenance pavement strategy.
This work is expected to extend the lifespan of the pavement by approximately seven to ten years and incorporates “complete streets” measures.
The project will also bring several safety and accessibility features up to current standards. This includes upgrading guardrail and concrete barriers, as well as replacing six curb ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
Drainage improvements are planned, with the extension of one culvert and the replacement of six others.
Additionally, the project will pave unpaved maintenance vehicle pullouts, widen shoulders in select locations, and replace or upgrade existing signage. An existing traffic signal will also be upgraded with a loop detection system.
Construction is estimated to take 145 working days. All working days will require traffic control, potentially impacting travel in the area. Local residents will experience delays when traveling to Banner Lassen, Lassen Community College and Northeastern Rural Health.
