District: District 3 - Marysville
Contact: Steve Nelson
Phone: (530) 701-9459
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EL DORADO COUNTY – One-way traffic control has resumed on U.S. Highway 50 during final work on the Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct replacement project.
U.S. Highway 50 reopened to traffic over Echo Summit early Sunday morning, five days ahead of schedule. Caltrans had originally anticipated a full two-week closure of the highway between Sept. 18 and Oct. 2 to install seven precast, prestressed 96-foot bridge girders and complete associated work that included pouring ultra-high-performance concrete to connect the girders, building concrete barrier walls and approach slabs, applying a polyester overlay on the bridge, and asphalt paving approaching both sides of the new structure.
One-way, intermittent traffic control will continue over the next four weeks to complete work on the project. Traffic control is anticipated intermittently throughout the week between 8 p.m. Sunday and noon Friday with both lanes open during peak weekend hours. Motorists should expect delays of up to 20 minutes. The construction and traffic control schedules are subject to change.
This project is replacing the existing bridge, which was built in 1939, with one that meets current seismic and safety standards. It includes $5.2 million in funding from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. This legislative package invests $54 billion over the next decade to fix roads, freeways and bridges in communities across California and puts more dollars toward transit and safety.
Caltrans appreciates the support and encouragement from elected officials for the department to undertake this innovative approach to expedite reopening of the highway. District 3 would like to thank Caltrans District 10, the California Highway Patrol, U.S. Forest Service, El Dorado County, the City of South Lake Tahoe, City of Placerville, Chambers of Commerce, Lake Valley Fire Protection District and CAL-FIRE for their support. Caltrans also extends its thanks to the local businesses, residents and visitors to South Lake Tahoe impacted by the closure of Highway 50 for their patience.
For more information on the project, visit Way2Tahoe on Twitter @way2Tahoe or on Facebook/Way2Tahoe.
Caltrans reminds motorists to Be Work Zone Alert and slow in construction zones for the safety of travelers and crews performing these improvements. Weather or unexpected events may delay or prolong the work. The department will issue construction updates on Twitter @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3. For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans’ QuickMap or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play.
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