Off and on-ramps to Blue Lake will be closed due to construction, use alternative routes

Getting to Blue Lake this week from Highway 299 might be a little difficult because of construction. The Highway 299 exit five ramp will be closed starting Tuesday due to an electrical and lighting improvement project.

The on and off-ramps will be closed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the safety of workers and travelers. But, there are two alternative routes folks can take to get to or from Blue Lake. 

“You can go Glendale Avenue next to the Murphy’s Market and it’s a little bit of a rutted-up road, but it should suffice,” said Adelene Jones, Mayor of Blue Lake. “Or you can go a little further east on 299 and then swing around and come back to 299. The first responders are using that second route and it sounds like it’s working good for them.”

If you drive east on the 299 passing exit five you will see Davis Street on your right, which will lead you to Blue Lake. This Caltrans project is connected to the state’s plan to rebuild and upgrade California’s transportation infrastructure with $3.1 billion.

“I’m very happy to have the improvement coming into our city,” Jone said. “And I thank our President Biden and the Infrastructure Act for getting all this money to our cities and states.”

$2.1 million will support storm repairs with roadway realignments on Highway 299 near Blue Lake to the east of Blue Lake Boulevard. Again, the ramp closure is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day through Friday. You can follow Caltrans District 1 on their social media pages to stay updated.