One of the most popular rural route turned commuter roadway is Hwy. 16, a commute that many people take to get to and from Amador County. Celia McAdam of the Placer Transportation Agency said, "Traffic is like water -- path of least resistance. And rural roads are another way to keep moving, and those roads are simply not designed for commute traffic." Roads of more concern are the rural roads that were not meant or designed for commuter traffic. Nearby Sutter County is an example of a County with many local roads that are now being used by commuters and locals.  For instance, the Garden Highway which was originally intended trips from the farm to market, now serves new subdivisions and the local farmers. Dan Silva is a Sutter County Supervisor and fourth-generation farmer. He said local roads are being used as bypass routes. "The roads that are either lateral or adjacent to the main Highway 99 are very heavily impacted by traffic in the morning and the afternoon," Silva said. Other area farmers said the rural roads can become dangerous when you combine impatient drivers in vehicles and slow-moving tractors and harvesters. According to Amador County Director of Public Works, Larry Peterson, although Amador County is affected by the Jackson Highway, or Hwy. 16, the impacts felt by Amador Co. residents are not as severe as other surrounding counties, at least while driving in the county.  Locally, rural Ridge Road is the one of the most popular routes for moving in and around the county. The Jackson Rancheria, a major draw accessible by the Ridge Rd route, developed an entrance located off of Hwy. 88 to help take some of the impacts of off Ridge Road, but old habits die hard. “We expect those who have habitually traveled via the Ridge Road Route to the Jackson Casino are continuing, because they come up from Stockton and Sacramento and it’s pretty much the shortest straight route, although the new entrance and road is deluxe.” states Peterson. Peterson said that the Rancheria has made considerable efforts to move traffic off Ridge Road by directing their commercial traffic, delivery trucks, tour buses, and employees to use the new entrance.   Peterson said, “We plan to do some seasonal traffic counts” in efforts to determine if traffic to the Rancheria has diverted from Ridge Road to Hwy. 88. Also of concern among local citizens is the increase in traffic on Hwy. 88 during the winter. CHP Amador Unit Public Outreach Officer John C. Hardey says that is a misconception among Amador County residents.  “Peak traffic on Hwy. 88 is always going to be during summer months. Traffic studies have indicated that October and September are peak months.” Among other things Hwy. 88 is known as the outlaw highway because of the absence of truck scales and multiple stop lights and the belief that the Highway was not intended for heavy commercial trucking. Officer Hardey explains that although, “Hwy. 88, going over the Sierras, is not a designated truck route, a vehicle 65 feet and under is not prohibited (from using the Hwy.)”  In all actuality, the Hwy. is not only a scenic route but also a designated National Defense Highway, explains Hardey, “Because you can get from east to west over Hwy. 88 without impediments, for example, over crossings, wires and things of that nature that would prohibit a high profile vehicle from traversing it.” Hardey said, “In times of national emergency you will find the US military traveling over Hwy. 88 if Hwy.’s 50 or 80 are interrupted.” For this reason Hwy. 88 is a high priority route, where as other routes to get to the Sierra’s such as 50 and 80 are not.  But this has not always been the case, up until 1970 Hwy. 88 would be closed for the winter season. All in all Hardey says to remember that local road are more crowded than ever before so be patient and drive slowly.