Travel Detours Planned on U.S. Highway 50 during Echo Summit Rock Scaling Work

Beginning Monday, March 21 at noon, passenger cars and pick-up trucks will be detoured via Johnson Pass Road with one-way traffic control in effect to reduce Echo Summit traffic queues. Delays of up to 30 minutes are expected on Johnson Pass Road. Commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles towing trailers will remain on U.S. Highway 50 over Echo Summit with one-way traffic control in effect. Delays of 30 to 45 minutes are expected over Echo Summit.

U.S. Highway 50 detours will be in effect during the following periods:

• Monday, March 21 – noon to 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 22 through Thursday, March 24 – 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Friday, March 25 – 7 a.m. to noon

These measures will permit Caltrans and its contractor, Granite Construction, to expedite rock scaling and slope stabilization activities in the area. Rock scaling activities have been in effect since early March after a large boulder fell onto U.S. Highway 50, blocking traffic in both directions. Caltrans used explosives to reduce the large boulder to pieces, permitting the highway to reopen. Caltrans is monitoring the slope around the clock until all scaling activities have been completed.

U.S. Highway 50 motorists should also be advised that one-way traffic control is in effect between Kyburz and Strawberry for vegetation removal following the devastating Caldor Fire in 2021. Motorists should expect travel delays in this area as well. Weather or unexpected events may delay or prolong the work.

District 3 is responsible for maintaining and operating 4,385 lane miles in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. Check out Caltrans' “QuickMap” for current road conditions at quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or download the free QuickMap app on the App Store or Google Play. Motorists also can call the California Highway Information Network automated phone service at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).

###