Caltrans is poised for an early spring start on eight projects along Interstate 80 from Colfax to the Nevada state line.

Caltrans plans are to move ahead on eight separate projects along the interstate over the Sierra totaling more than $420 million.

Caltrans Director Will Kempton and local elected officials joined employees working on the project to kick off the I-80 Sierra repair work Friday at a ceremony in North Auburn.

Kempton used a phone to contact Caltrans workers in Kingvale to activate an information board on the edge of eastbound Interstate 80 near Musso Road with a phone number and Web site to help motorists stay up-to-date on the projects.

Boards, many with real-time information on expected destination times, will be up during the project from April through November, from Mustang, Nev. to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Kempton said the project, in combination with more work taking place at the same time to the west along I-80, will cost almost $1 billion and generate 9,000 jobs.

Parts of the concrete road are nearly 50 years old. Kempton said that with so much traffic between the Bay Area and the Nevada state line, the road has received a lot of damage.

The first phase will be road rehabilitation along the freeway from just east of Highway 174 at Colfax to Alta Road, 11 miles to the east. Construction is scheduled to start March 31 and be completed by next fall.

As part of the work, Caltrans has established a Web site to educate motorists about the construction projects, traffic control measures and aid in planning trips over Donner Summit along I-80.

The work will require detours along Highway 20 during night hours. Lt. John Arrabit, commander of the Gold Run California Highway Patrol, said the first phase will have significant impact on motorists, especially when the detour is in effect.

“I’ll remind big-rig drivers that the Highway 20 detour route is not Interstate 80,” he said. “A mishap on 20 will have a far greater impact than one on 80.”

Arrabit, who assumed command of the Gold Run detachment in January, said motorists should “bring a little extra patience” while they’re driving during the first stage.

The Web site is www.getacross80.com. Recorded information is available at 1-877-362-8080.

Representing the Placer County Board of Supervisors, Chairman Rocky Rockholm noted the good timing for the state investment in infrastructure.

“It’s a significant project that will have a good impact on Placer County,” Rockholm said. “The $500 million couldn’t have come at a better time for all of us.”

The Journal’s Gus Thomson can be reached at gust@goldcountrymedia.com.