District: District 3 - Marysville
Sergio Aceves, District 3 Director
Contact: Jeremy Linder (530) 701-5209
Nevada County – Caltrans is announcing the Draft Environmental Document (DED) for the proposed $107.4 million State Route 49 (SR 49) Grass Valley Wildfire Evacuation Route Project is now available for review and comments.
This climate resiliency project proposes to widen shoulders along SR 49 from the Wolf Road/Combie Road intersection to Ponderosa Pines Way and enhance traffic flow during emergencies. The project will also install a two-way left turn lane throughout the project limits, widen the existing bridge at South Wolf Creek and construct a new bridge at Rattlesnake Creek, along with upgrading roadway pavement, guardrails and culverts.
Caltrans released the DED, referred to as a Mitigated Negative Declaration, for the project today. The department welcomes all feedback from the public, partner agencies and stakeholders on the DED during the project’s review period from December 11 to January 12.
A public meeting also is scheduled for the project. Attendees can view displays to see the latest updates about the project, ask questions to Caltrans staff and provide input to the project team. The meeting will be held Wednesday, January 7 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Nevada County Government Center Board of Supervisors’ Chamber located at 950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City.
The DED is available for viewing online at Nevada County | Caltrans and in person at the following locations:
- Grass Valley Library – Royce Branch 207 Mill Street, Grass Valley
- Bear River Library - 11010 Combie Road, Auburn
- Nevada County Transportation Commission - 101 Providence Mine Road, Suite 102, Nevada City
- Advance notice required for access, call (530) 265-3202
The document is also available for review and copy weekdays between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Caltrans Office of Environmental Management, 703 B Street, Marysville.
Comments may be submitted via email to GV_Wildfire_Evacuation_Route@dot.ca.gov or online via a Smartsheet form. All comments must be received by 5 p.m. January 12. Caltrans anticipates construction to begin in fall 2027 with completion by the end of 2030, contingent on the weather and availability of materials and/or equipment.
The project includes $72.4 million from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 and a $35 million contribution from the Nevada County Transportation Commission in Local Transportation Climate Adaptation Program funds.
SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually that is shared equally between state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1. Visit https://build.ca.gov/ to learn more about transformative infrastructure projects happening in communities throughout the state.
Caltrans District 3 is responsible for maintaining and operating 4,385 lane miles in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. Caltrans reminds motorists to “Be Work Zone Alert” and slow in construction zones for the safety of travelers and crews performing these improvements.
The department issues construction updates on X @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook 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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