Caltrans Maintenance on Fourth Street Causes Lane Closures, Delays

Caltrans began a maintenance project along Fourth Street, designated as part of State Route 86, on December 15, 2025. The agency warned that the work may produce lane closures and traffic delays for up to two weeks, and crews have been coordinating with Yuma County and city public works officials to reduce impacts wherever possible.

Officials have said some activities can be scheduled overnight to ease daytime congestion, and Caltrans and local partners are considering nighttime work when feasible. At the same time, several tasks require daytime execution because of equipment needs, material handling, or safety constraints, which means residents should expect intermittent closures and slower travel during daylight hours through the end of the maintenance window.

The closures affect a key surface street that carries local and regional traffic, and the timing over the upcoming two week period will overlap with commuter patterns, school runs, and commercial deliveries. Drivers traveling through downtown Yuma and adjacent neighborhoods should anticipate extended travel times and plan alternative routes when possible. Transit operators, delivery services, and employers with fixed schedules may need to adjust pick up and drop off times to avoid delays.

Local public works coordination aims to limit the longest closures to off peak hours and to preserve access for emergency vehicles. Businesses along Fourth Street will remain accessible, but customers and suppliers may face temporary delays. Residents who rely on the corridor for daily commutes should leave earlier than normal and monitor signage on site for lane changes and detours.

Infrastructure maintenance is a routine but visible part of public stewardship, and the cooperation between Caltrans and local agencies reflects efforts to balance necessary repairs with community needs. For the next several days, motorists are advised to allow extra travel time, use alternate routes when available, and follow posted traffic instructions. Updates will be posted at work sites and through local traffic advisories as crews complete phases of the project.