Ridgecrest: State Route 178 Paving Planned Near Sandquist Road at China Lake November 9–13

RIDGECREST / EASTERN KERN COUNTY — November 5, 2026. Caltrans District 9 has announced fresh pavement work on State Route 178 East near Sandquist Road at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. The project appears in the agency’s newly issued traffic advisory for November 9–13, with work generally scheduled from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on designated construction days.

What’s planned?

Crews will lay new asphalt, and Caltrans advises motorists to expect brief traffic delays. The affected portion is associated with the China Lake installation; normal military-base access restrictions continue to apply and this traffic notice does not grant public entry to restricted areas. Drivers with authorized travel in the vicinity should follow the instructions of crews and base personnel.

Veterans Day exception

Although the weekly listing uses a Monday-through-Friday work window, Caltrans separately specifies that no work is scheduled on Wednesday, November 11, Veterans Day. The precise sequence may change with weather, operations or materials. The notice does not describe a full-week road closure or an emergency evacuation.

Where to check live conditions

This is a scheduled construction advisory, not confirmation that lanes are currently blocked. Drivers can consult Caltrans QuickMap and local access instructions before traveling. Road construction affecting Ridgecrest and China Lake should be reported distinctly from other work on SR-178 farther west in the Kern River Valley.

Official source: Caltrans District 9, weekly traffic advisory issued November 5 for November 9–13.

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