SR-52 Expansion Definitely Opening on Tuesday

Caltrans officials announced on Monday that the much anticipated state Route 52 expansion will open to traffic in time for Tuesday morning's commute.

Last week the agency reported that the opening was changed from March 26 to March 29 due to the week's rain, and that the opening would take place on Tuesday, "weather permitting."

Edward Cartagena of Caltrans said crews working on the roadway assured him that weather conditions would allow them to finish their final touch-ups on the project.

This project, known as the "Sunny Side Gateway," completes an 18-mile link from SR-67 all the way to I-5. Construction began in 2008 and was paid for with $133 million from the state’s Proposition 1B Transportation Bond Program, $35 million from the regions TransNet half-cent sales tax and federal funds.

About 20,000 people went out to play on the freeway two weeks ago during the Grand Opening festival.

If you are trying to be one of the first to drive on the , you better plan on staying up late, Caltrans usually opens such roads to new traffic between 3 and 5 a.m.

City News Service contributed to this report.