Hwy. 46 construction to slow traffic in SLO County. Here’s when and where
Drivers traveling through northern San Luis Obispo County will soon encounter traffic delays on a major highway.
The California Department of Transportation plans to move Highway 46 to a new roadway alignment north of Paso Robles, resulting in intermittent stops and traffic breaks, according to a Thursday news release.
The update will change how travelers can access local roads from the freeway.
Here’s what to know:
When and where is new Highway 46 construction?
During a two-day stretch, Caltrans crews will switch Highway 46 drivers across new structures onto a different alignment of the roadway.
Drivers going east of Cholame on Highway 46 will encounter daytime traffic delays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9 and Tuesday, Feb. 10, the release said.
“The work schedule for the Hwy. 46 traffic switch is weather dependent,” Caltrans said. “Updates will be provided if there are changes to this schedule.”
The new centerline of the road will be slightly north of the previous alignment, taking travelers over Cholame Creek, the Cholame Creek Overflow and Cholame Valley Road, according to Caltrans.
How long will roadwork delay traffic?
Caltrans said travelers should expect delays around 15 to 30 minutes while crews are working on the highway construction project.
The California Highway Patrol will be on site to conduct traffic breaks and guide drivers onto the new alignment, according to the release.
Will new alignment affect access to SLO County roads?
Local access to Highway 46 will change once the new traffic pattern and alignment is complete, Caltrans said.
Drivers on the highway will no longer be able to directly access Cholame Valley Road and Davis Road once the new roadway alignment is in place.
However, a portion of the former Highway 46 route will serve as a frontage road that connects Jack Ranch Cafe, Davis Road, and Cholame Valley Road, according to the release.
“The turn-off at the Jack Ranch Cafe will now be the access point for Cholame Valley Road for both eastbound and westbound Hwy. 46 traffic,” Caltrans said.
Travelers at the turn-off will make a right turn to head east onto Highway 46 to the Highway 41 separation, or take a left to go west on Highway 46 towards Paso Robles, according to the state road agency.
This story was originally published February 8, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Hwy. 46 construction to slow traffic in SLO County. Here’s when and where."
