Rural Highways: Freeways

Undisturbed median on U.S. Route 395

Award of Excellence

U.S. Route 395, Blackrock Four-Lane
Inyo County, California

The Blackrock Four-Lane Project converted 14.3 miles of two-lane highway to four-lane expressway with a 100-foot median, using the latest engineering tools and taking extraordinary care to preserve unique environmental features. Retaining native landscaping wherever possible eliminated the need for irrigation systems and reduced the long term maintenance while preserving the natural scenic quality of the corridor.

• Designer: California Department of Transportation
• Contractor: SKANSA USA Civil West
• Owner: California Department of Transportation