Terminal Avenue, a familiar straight shot for commuters, farm trucks and local businesses in Stanislaus County, is shutting down to through traffic starting Monday as work ramps up on the North County Corridor expressway. Officials say the closure could last as long as two years, turning a once-simple route into a long-term detour zone.
What’s Closing And When
Beginning Monday, Terminal Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Townsend Avenue and Claribel Road to support a major construction phase of the North County Corridor Phase 1 project, according to North County Corridor Phase 1 Project. The project website lists a 24/7 construction hotline at (209) 217-9616 along with an email contact for questions. Local access will remain available for people who live or work along the affected stretch.
Detours And Local Access
Drivers are being directed to use Claus Road or Oakdale Road as alternate routes, and county officials emphasize that access along Terminal Avenue itself will still be available for residents and businesses to reach their properties, according to CBS Sacramento. Stanislaus County Public Works Director David Lehman told the station that the full closure is needed for a particularly intense construction push: “We’re building three bridges,” he said.
What The County Is Building
Phase 1 will construct a new access-controlled expressway that includes grade-separated bridges over Terminal Avenue and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad, a Roselle Avenue interchange and frontage roads to preserve nearby access. The California Department of Transportation notes the North County Corridor is part of a broader plan for an 18-mile high-capacity bypass serving Modesto, Riverbank and Oakdale, and that roughly $20 million has been allocated to support Phase 1, according to Caltrans.
Timeline And What To Expect
County officials say the Terminal Avenue closure could last up to two years, though they hope crews can wrap up sooner. Roselle Avenue is expected to reopen this summer, and the new Claribel Road bridge is scheduled to open by the end of 2026, with Phase 1 projected to open to traffic in early 2028, according to CBS Sacramento. During construction, motorists should plan for detours and follow digital message boards guiding traffic around active work zones.
Where To Get Updates
Construction updates, detour maps and email notifications are available on the North County Corridor Phase 1 project website, which also lists the construction hotline for callers with questions, according to North County Corridor Phase 1 Project. Residents who depend on Terminal Avenue for daily travel are urged to adjust routes and build in extra time while the work is underway.
