New Highway 101 Alignment at Indianola Causes Morning Commute Backups
Caltrans implemented a new southbound alignment across the Indianola undercrossing on U.S. Highway 101 between Eureka and Arcata overnight on November 18, 2025, and motorists experienced heavy backups during the morning commute until a second lane opened later that same morning. The change is part of a larger construction project with remaining work expected to continue into next year, a development that will affect daily travel, freight movement, and emergency access for Humboldt County residents.
Caltrans shifted southbound traffic onto a newly constructed bridge at the Indianola undercrossing on U.S. Highway 101 between Eureka and Arcata overnight on November 18, 2025. The agency completed the initial alignment move at night, but the overnight configuration led to congestion during the morning commute until crews opened a second lane later that same day, easing traffic flow.
The alignment change is a key milestone in a broader project intended to improve safety and connectivity along this section of U.S. Highway 101. Remaining construction tasks include completing ramps, paving, traffic signal installation, median removals, landscaping and access to the nearby trail. Caltrans has urged drivers to use caution while work continues, and the agency has scheduled additional operations that will carry into next year.
Local commuters and commercial drivers felt the immediate impact. Morning backups created longer travel times for people commuting between Eureka and Arcata, and the congestion affected routes that serve schools, workplaces and regional businesses. Trucking and freight movement along this corridor faced slower passage during peak hours, an important consideration for local suppliers and the county economy. Emergency service planners note that any changes to traffic patterns along Highway 101 require careful coordination to maintain reliable response times for Humboldt County residents.
The temporary morning congestion underscores the tension that often accompanies major road projects, where short term disruption is weighed against longer term improvements. Once ramps, paving and signals are completed, the new alignment is expected to provide smoother traffic operations and improved connectivity with pedestrian and trail facilities. The landscaping and trail access work also aims to enhance multimodal options for the coastal communities between Eureka and Arcata.
Caltrans will continue to phase work so that traffic can be maintained while crews finish remaining items. Travelers should anticipate intermittent lane closures and signal work, and plan for potential delays during peak travel periods. Local transportation officials advise drivers to allow extra time, use alternate routes where feasible, and remain attentive to changing traffic patterns near the Indianola undercrossing.
For Humboldt County, the project is part of ongoing statewide efforts to modernize key highway corridors. The task of balancing construction schedules with daily life in small communities requires sustained communication and cooperation between state crews, city planners and residents. As work proceeds into next year, the benefits of the new alignment will depend on timely completion of the remaining tasks and continued attention to safety for drivers, pedestrians and trail users.
