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Atwater-Merced Expressway

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Atwater-Merced Expressway is a mostly unconstructed new highway located in Merced County.  The planned scope of the expressway would connect from California State Route 140 south of Atwater to California State Route 59 near the University of California-Merced Campus.  Phase 1A was completed during 2016 and included a new ramp at California State Route 99 along with a new segment of highway to Green Sands Road.  Currently Phase 1B to Santa Fe Drive (County Route J7) is planned to break ground during late 2026 or early 2027.  



Part 1; an overview the planned scope of Atwater-Merced Expressway

The purpose of the Atwater-Merced Expressway is to enhance access to the campus of University of California-Merced (UC-Merced).  In full scale the corridor is planned to originate at California State Route 140 (McSwain Road) south of Atwater and terminate at the intersection of California State Route 59 and Bellevue Road.  

Currently access to the UC-Merced is mostly provided by way of substandard two-lane roadways.  The concept of a Merced campus as part of the University of California system was borne during the late 1980s and early 1990s due to increased Central Valley enrollment.  The University of California Board of Regents selected Merced for the planned new campus during May 1995.  Construction of the UC-Merced campus broke ground during October 2002 and would open for classes during September 2005.  

Phase 1A of Atwater-Merced Expressway included a replacement for the Buhach Road ramp at California State Route 99 and new segment of road connecting north to Green Sands Avenue.  $47 million of the phase was funded by way of 2006 Proposition 1B.  The remaining unfunded part of the phase fell through due to a state-wide budget cut which came during the 2007-2009 era.  

The remaining balance of Phase 1A funding came later via various differing state sources and broke ground during 2013.   The phase was dedicated by the Merced County Association of Governments and Caltrans on March 25, 2016.  



Phase 2 and 3 of the Atwater-Merced Expressway remain not fully funded.  Phase 1B would extend the corridor from Green Sands Road north to County Route J7 (Santa Fe Drive).  Phase 2 is planned to connect to California State Route 59/Bellevue Road whereas Phase 3 would extend south to California State Route 140 (McSwain Road).  



Atwater-Merced Expressway 1B is currently facing Environmental Impact Study difficulties.  The Merced Sun-Star reported during April 2025 that Merced County officials hope to break ground on the segment during late 2026 or early 2027.  



Part 2; a drive on Atwater-Merced Expressway

The completed Phase 1A portion of Atwater-Merced Expressway is accessible from California State Route Exit 193.  The corridor currently only extends north of the freeway as a two-lane highway a short distance to a temporary terminus at Green Sands Roads.  






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