Stanislaus County will begin Phase 1 construction of the North County Corridor project on October 3, starting with a yearlong closure of Roselle Avenue between Plainview Road and Patterson Road in Riverbank. The project aims to improve east-west traffic across the county. Preliminary work began in July.
The first phase involves building a 2.4-mile expressway segment from Claribel and Oakdale roads to Claus Road. The new route will run south on Oakdale for about a quarter mile before heading east across farmland to Claus Road. Construction plans include a new alignment connecting Claribel Road with Claus Road near the former Riverbank ammunition plant, as well as overcrossings at Roselle Avenue and the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railroad.
Phase 1 is scheduled for completion in 2028. The $144 million project is a joint effort by Stanislaus County, Modesto, Riverbank, Oakdale, the Stanislaus Council of Governments, and the California Department of Transportation. Funding comes from both state and federal sources. This phase is part of an overall 18-mile corridor designed to connect Modesto, Riverbank, and Oakdale while reducing congestion.
According to a recent county statement, the expressway is intended to provide “a faster, more reliable route for residents, businesses, trucks and emergency responders.”
David Leamon, Public Works Director for Stanislaus County, said: “We recognize the (Roselle) closure will be a major disruption for many residents and businesses. We appreciate the community’s patience as we work through this critical phase of construction.”
Detours will be in place for both northbound and southbound traffic on Roselle Avenue beginning October 3 due to earth-moving activities related to building the overcrossing. Northbound drivers can use Sylvan Avenue and Oakdale or Sylvan Avenue and Claus Road routes to bypass closures; southbound drivers will follow similar detours in reverse.
Officials noted that closing Roselle Avenue represents the most significant disruption during Phase 1 but expect additional delays throughout construction—including possible nighttime closures of Claus Road, Terminal Avenue between Minnear Avenue and Plainview Road, and intermittent impacts along portions of Claribel and Oakdale roads.
Updates about traffic impacts during construction will be posted at northcountycorridorphase1.com. The county has also established a hotline at 209-217-9616 for questions or concerns regarding the project.
