Amador County – Caltrans will detour Highway 50 traffic to Lake Tahoe through Amador County for two weeks, starting May 11, while repair is done at Echo Summit.
Caltrans District 3 announced that the temporary detour is needed to replace a rock wall at Echo Summit in El Dorado County. U.S. Highway 50 will be closed at Echo Summit for approximately two weeks, depending on weather, beginning May 11.
Jody Jones, District 3 director, said the “closure is part of the first stage of a safety enhancement project that will remove damaged rock walls and replace them with a barrier that meets current safety standards.”
The project was partly funded with $1.9 million from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Caltrans Director Cindy McKim said “the project is a great example of how Caltrans is putting Recovery Act funds to good use, providing jobs and at the same time making U.S. Highway 50 safer for the public.”
Jones said California has obligated nearly $2.6 billion in Recovery Act funds to nearly 1,000 local street, highway, and job training transportation projects statewide.
The detour includes one-way traffic control May 9-10, and then for up to six weeks after Highway 50 is reopened. The highway will be open with no restrictions on Memorial Day weekend.
Jones said alternate routes around the closure take travelers through the “scenic gold country of El Dorado and Amador counties.” Motorists should allow one hour extra travel time to reach South Lake Tahoe, during the two-week full closure.
Three alternate routes were recommended for Highway 50 travel to Tahoe. From Sacramento, exit at Power Inn Road, take Highway 16 east to Highway 49 south into Amador County. At Highway 88 in Jackson, turn left, taking it east to Highway 89. Go north on 89, follow it back to Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe.
From Placerville, exit 50 at Missouri Flat Road and take Highway 49 south through Plymouth. Go east on Highway 88 in Jackson. At Highway 89 turn north and follow it back to Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe.
Motorists coming through Stockton can exit 99 as usual at Highway 88 east, continuing onto 88/49. In Jackson, turn left to continue on 88 east, then take 89 north to 50 in South Lake Tahoe.
Electronic message signs at key positions will direct travelers on the highways. Jones said the “alternate route through El Dorado and Amador Counties is a good way to go any time there are closures or substantial delays on Highway 50 due to weather, collisions or construction.”
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
