Unique to highway construction, Teichert recently completed the Highway 156 Project last year, which featured a new mainline parallel to the current alignment. The new highway delivers a much safer and resilient roadway that provides better access between Highway 101, Hollister, and other key destinations in the region.

The Bixby Road roundabout configuration includes splitter islands for ADA-compliant pedestrian crossings at all four corners, along with bicycle ramps to accommodate detour crossings.

The project features a unique, new roundabout constructed of Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) with a pavement thickness of 10.8”, same as the mainline. The new Bixby Road roundabout provides safe access from the agriculture fields north and south of the new alignment to the old Hwy 156 (now, a new frontage road), and provides safe access to the new roadway for all local residents.

Teichert erected a batch plant adjacent to the new mainline construction for efficiency and minimal transport time, ensuring the integrity of the freshly mixed concrete.

Looking east, the new highway alignment is leveled and prepared for the base application.

CRCP Reinforcing steel in place in preparation for the concrete pour.

One of the many benefits of building a new alignment is the ability to work from both sides of the new lanes under construction.

Under construction, the roundabout is surrounded by a colored CRCP truck apron that’s 1.15-feet-thick and three inches higher than the adjacent lane to discourage autos from driving onto it, but still accessible enough for larger trucks to drive atop, if needed, while taking the roundabout.

Looking east, the old Highway 156 to the left now serves as a frontage road and provides a safer, lower-speed travel environment for agricultural equipment serving the farms throughout the region.

The Teichert Construction San Benito Route 156 Project Team on the roundabout.

Coming up at the California Concrete Pavement Conference on April 22nd at UC Davis (www.TheCCPC.com), the Highway 156 Project will be spotlighted.

Big thanks and a tip of the hard hat to Nate Gonzalez, Teichert Project Executive, Jillian Smith, Teichert Proposal Manager, and Jordan Nuque, Teichert Project Engineer & Drone Pilot, for the photos.