NICE, Calif. – Caltrans’ new roundabout project in Nice is expected to be functional within the next several days.

Construction on the $4.6 million project – located at the intersection of Highway 20 and the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff, just west of Nice – began in May. Granite Construction of Ukiah is the contractor.

Caltrans spokesman Phil Frisbie said the project is on track to be completed this winter.

Drivers have been detoured around the construction onto Stokes Road since July 23.

However, this Friday or next Monday, the detour is set to be removed, according to Frisbie.

“The roundabout will be functional at that point,” he said in an email to Lake County News. “There will still be some restrictions for people entering the highway from Pyle Road, but that 'leg' will be fully tied in over the next few weeks.”

When it’s complete, Caltrans said the project also will include sidewalks, enhanced drainage and median islands to create pedestrians access across the highway.

Caltrans undertook the project to address the intersection’s collision rate – five times higher than the statewide average for similar intersections – as well as to slow traffic and reduce vehicle emissions.

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