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  5. State Route 49 Grass Valley Wildfire Evacuation Project

State Route 49 Grass Valley Wildfire Evacuation Project

Project Description:
This climate resiliency project is proposed along State Route 49 (SR-49) in Nevada County between Wolf Road/Combie Road and Ponderosa Pines. The project proposes to widen shoulders, construct a continuous two-way left turn lane and realign the roadway. Additionally, this project will extend and/or replace drainage systems, widen the existing bridge at South Wolf Creek, construct retaining walls and replace and/or relocate lighting and signage. New traffic management system elements will also be installed, as well as the replacement of guardrails that do not meet current standards and provide concrete vegetation control under guardrails.

Project Map:

Map of Interstate 80 Improvement Project near Yuba Pass

Sheet one of the Grass Valley Wildfire Evacuation Project, showing a legend, abbreviations used, a cross section of the existing highway, a cross section of the proposed highway conditions and an aerial photograph of the project beginning, near Wolf Road and Combie Road intersection with State Route 49. Another cross section of the proposed highway conditions is shown with traffic in a hypothetical evacuation scenario.Sheet two of the Grass Valley Wildfire Evacuation Project, showing a cross section of the existing highway, a cross section of the proposed highway conditions in normal traffic flow and a cross section of the proposed highway conditions with traffic in a hypothetical evacuation scenario, and an aerial photograph of the project from south of Brewer Road intersection with State Route 49 to just north of Shady S Lane and Cerrito Road intersections with State Route 49. Sheet three of the Grass Valley Wildfire Evacuation Project, showing a cross section of the existing highway, a cross section of the proposed highway conditions in normal traffic flow and a cross section of the proposed highway conditions with traffic in a hypothetical evacuation scenario, and an aerial photograph of the project from south of Holcomb Drive and Cherry Creek Road intersections with State Route 49 to just north of Auburn Road intersection with State Route 49.Sheet four of the Grass Valley Wildfire Evacuation Project, showing a cross section of the existing highway, a cross section of the proposed highway conditions in normal traffic flow and a cross section of the proposed highway conditions with traffic in a hypothetical evacuation scenario, and an aerial photograph of the project from south of Round Valley Road intersection with State Route 49 to the end of the project just north of La Barr Meadows Road intersection with State Route 49.An illustrated comparison of the existing roadway cross section, the proposed roadway configuration during normal traffic, and an evacuation traffic scenario. Two segments of State Route 49 are shown to illustrate the addition of a center two way left turn lane and widened shoulders.

*Click to enlarge, hit back arrow to return to page.

 

Draft Environmental Document:

The environmental document, referred to as an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND), is available for review from December 11, 2025 to January 12, 2026 at the following locations:
  • Grass Valley Library – Royce Branch 207 Mill Street, Grass Valley
  • Bear River Library - 11010 Combie Road, Auburn
  • A physical copy is also available for review, with advance notice for access by calling (530) 265-3202, at Nevada County Transportation Commission - 101 Providence Mine Road, Suite 102, Nevada City
It 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 and viewed digitally on the Caltrans website.

 

Existing Photos vs. Proposed Simulations:

A comparison of an elevated view looking south on State Route 49 in a photo of the existing highway with a simulated image of the proposed highway in an evacuation traffic scenario showing southbound traffic using the shoulder, travel lane and center turn lane, while emergency responders use the northbound traffic lane.A comparison of an elevated view looking south on State Route 49 in a photo of the existing highway at the Cherry Creek Road intersection with a simulated image of the proposed highway with the proposed wider shoulders and added center turn lane. A fire engine is depicted turning left from the added center turn lane, showing other southbound traffic unimpeded.A comparison of an elevated view looking south on State Route 49 in a photo of the existing highway at the Wolf Creek bridge with a simulated image of the proposed highway with the proposed bridge, wider shoulders and added center turn lane.A comparison of a driver’s view looking north on State Route 49 in a photo of the existing highway at just south of Turkey Trot Place intersection with a simulated image of the proposed highway with the proposed wider shoulders and added center turn lane, with a depiction of the earth retaining wall along the southbound shoulder.

*Click to enlarge, hit back arrow to return to page.

 

Purpose and Need:

Purpose:

The purpose of this project is to address existing evacuation barriers identified at bottleneck locations along an eight-mile stretch of SR-49 within Nevada County. This project will widen the existing shoulders and create a two-way left turn lane to enhance traffic flow during emergencies. The project also aims to improve mobility, safety, equity, and climate resiliency.

Need:

In an effort to address the effects of climate change, SR-49 requires resiliency improvements to safely evacuate communities, provide safe and adequate access for emergency responders and recovery resources, provide the ability to implement contraflow operations, and remove existing evacuation barriers.

 

Partners:

This project was development in partnership with the Nevada County Transportation Commission (NCTC). For additional information on their efforts please visit the NCTC website.

 

Public Meeting/Comments:

Caltrans has scheduled a public meeting 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 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 7 at the Nevada County Government Center, Board of Supervisors’ Chamber located at 950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City.
 
Please submit your written comments to: Caltrans, North Region Environmental-District 3, Attention: M5 Environmental Branch Chief 703 B Street, Marysville, CA 95901. Comments may also be submitted via e-mail to: GV_Wildfire_Evacuation_Route@dot.ca.gov or online via a Smartsheet form. All comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, January 12.
 
Notice of Intent, Notice of Completion and Draft Environmental Document

 

Project Costs

Support Cost  $16.7 million
Capital Cost  $90.6 million
NCTC Contribution  $35 million
Total Project Cost   $107.4 million

 

Project Schedule

Project Approval & Environmental Document January 2026 
Right of Way  April 2026
Ready to List May 2027
Advertise Project July 2027
Begin Construction October 2027
Finish Construction December 2030

 

Project Contacts

Sam Vandell, Project Manager, (530) 682-6478; sam.vandell@dot.ca.gov
Jeremy Linder, Public Information Officer, (530) 701-5209; jeremy.linder@dot.ca.gov