SR 198 Interchange at Road 148 Project

The City of Visalia has teamed up with Caltrans and the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) to begin planning a new Multi-Modal Gateway Interchange on State Route 198 (SR-198), near the future East Side Regional Park.

The SR 198 Interchange at Road 148 Project planning is underway, with improvements planned for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. It aims to improve transportation options and connectivity for the community. This interchange will provide connections for vehicles, pedestrians and active transportation users, enhancing travel options for residents.

Thank you for your interest and feedback on this project! This information is maintained by the City of Visalia as a service to residents. For additional information, please visit the official State Route 198 Interchange at Road 148 Project page, please visit Caltrans District 6's website here.

We Need Your Feedback!

Your feedback is important to us, and is a vital part of this Multi-Modal Gateway Interchange project.

As opportunities for in-person meetings, presentations and public engagement meetings are scheduled, we'll list them here.

Community Survey

The project team needs your feedback and we want to know, how do you travel? How would you like to use this multi-modal interchange? Complete our survey by March 18, 2025 for your responses to be included in our planning.

SR 198 at Road 148 Interchange Survey - English (Hosted by SurveyMonkey)

SR 198 at Road 148 Interchange Survey - Español (Hosted by SurveyMonkey)

Upcoming Opportunities

Join us at one of the upcoming community meetings:

Community Meeting on Wednesday, February 26, 2025

• Time: 6 - 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Visalia Convention Center - Charter Oak Ballroom C & D, 303 E. Acequia Ave., Visalia

Community Meeting on Tuesday, March 4, 2025

• Time: 6 - 7 p.m.
• Location: This will be a virtual meeting hosted by Caltrans, click here.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, individuals who require accommodation (American Sign Language Interpreter, accessible seating, documents in alternative formats, etc.) are requested to contact the Caltrans District 6 Public Information Office at [email protected] or by phone at 559-444-2409 at least 14 days before the scheduled meeting date. Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf (TDD) users may contact the California Relay Service line at 1-800-735-2929, Voice Line at
1-800-735-2922, or contact the California Relay Service Teletype Voice Line by dialing 711 (1-800-855-3000 for the Spanish version).

Past Opportunities

Thursday, February 20, 2025 Community Meeting

• Time: 6 - 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Mineral King Elementary School Cafeteria, 3333 E. Kaweah Ave., Visalia
• This meeting included a presentation by Caltrans District 6 staff and a question and answer period for those in attendance. For documents related to this meeting, visit Caltrans' project website here: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-6/district-6-projects/06-1c290
•  

• Monday, December 16, 2024 at 4 p.m.: Presentation by Caltrans on the Project Development and Implementation Process, the Design Themes, Road 148 Rename and More

During the City Council meeting Work Session held at 7 p.m. Caltrans and City of Visalia staff provided a presentation to the City Council and the public on the Multi-Modal Gateway Interchange project. This presentation was conducted as part of the City Council meeting, all were invited to attend and provide comments and ideas. To view the Agenda Item and corresponding presentation, click here.

Date: Monday, December 16, 2024

Time: 4 p.m. (Part of the City Council Meeting Work Session, Item 3)

Location: Visalia City Hall West, City Council Chambers, 707 W. Acequia Ave., Visalia

About the Project

Project Features: The new interchange will improve accessibility to SR 198 and circulation to roads adjacent to the proposed interchange. It will include capacity to connect to the City’s  planned  four-lane, north-south arterial street, along with a Class 1 Shared Bike Path over the freeway that will serve bicyclists, pedestrians, and other active transportation users. 

The City of Visalia recently completed the initial segment of the trail, between Mineral King Avenue and Mill Creek using state Active Transportation Program Funds and Measure R Trail Funds. Other segments of the north/south trail are currently being designed by the City’s consultants. 

The City of Visalia will be the lead for the design of the connecting north south street segments between Houston Avenue and the new interchange; and between Walnut Avenue and the new interchange. More information will be forthcoming. 

Project Funding: Funding for this new interchange is anticipated from local, State and Federal funds.

Project Timeline: Caltrans is currently working on the project initiation and preliminary planning, which is the first phase of the project. This phase is expected to be completed in 2025. When the first phase is completed, the project will move through additional required phases, which will take many years before construction can begin.

Staying Up To Date

Your feedback is important to us! We are working with Caltrans now to obtain public feedback regarding interchange themes and artistic features.

As opportunities for public outreach are confirmed, updates will be posted above under Upcoming Opportunities.

To submit comments or questions now, email [email protected] with the subject line "148 Interchange."