Construction to begin July 13 on next phase of Creston Road improvements

By Staff Report · Tue Jul 07 2026

PASO ROBLES — Construction will begin July 13 on the second phase of the City of Paso Robles' Creston Road Corridor Improvements Project, a $17.8 million effort to improve safety, traffic flow and infrastructure along one of the city's busiest roadways.

The second phase extends from Orchard Drive to Niblick Road and includes roadway rehabilitation, underground utility upgrades, new sidewalks, ADA improvements, enhanced bicycle lanes and construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Creston Road and Rolling Hills Road.

City officials said the project stems from a community vision first developed in 2016 and adopted by the City Council in 2018 after extensive public outreach.

Funding includes $14.245 million from the locally approved Measure J-20 and Measure I-24 sales tax measures, a $3 million state budget allocation secured by State Sen. John Laird, a $400,000 State Local Partnership Program grant and $135,000 in Highway Safety Improvement Program funds.

Phase 1 of the project was completed in 2025 and included a new traffic signal at Walnut and Bolen streets, improved pedestrian crossings and roadway upgrades between South River Road and Orchard Drive.

The centerpiece of Phase 2 will be the construction of a new roundabout at Creston Road and Rolling Hills Road. Because of the extensive utility work required, Rolling Hills Road will be closed to through traffic throughout construction, with access maintained only for local residents and businesses.

To expedite construction, the city will begin work in two areas simultaneously. Roundabout construction is expected to take 18 to 24 months, while corridor improvements between Melody Drive and Niblick Road are anticipated to last eight to 10 months.

Separately, improvements to the turn lanes at Creston Road and Niblick Road will also begin July 13 under an agreement with the developer of the Vinedo project. That work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Construction is generally scheduled for weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with efforts to minimize impacts during school commute hours. Drivers should expect lane closures, delays and changing traffic patterns throughout the project.

You can find more information at prcity.com/crestonroad