Motorists who use Highway 99 through Ceres may have noticed a tighter squeeze since a temporary barrier was installed skirting the center median. An official with Caltrans said it's due to a forthcoming project to install more lighting to the darkened section of freeway to reduce the number of night-time traffic incidents.

Caltrans will be adding high-mast LED lighting in the area to provide uniform luminosity. Lighting will be installed from Whitmore Avenue to the Tuolumne River Bridge. The estimated total project cost is $3.7 million.

The project began on June 20 with night time lane closures and work occurring between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays, said Caltrans District 10 public information officer Skip Allum. Weather permitting, the project is estimated to be completed in February.