Highway 50 Update

Barrier

The Contractor will be placing plasters and iron fence on top of the newly constructed concrete barrier that will be adjacent to the new eastbound lane from Canal Street to Bedford Avenue. The barrier is an upgrade from the standard Caltrans barrier and is part of the over $1 million allocated for aesthetic improvements in this project. The barrier is being constructed in such a way as to allow for the placement of Christmas trees in the future.

New Eastbound Lane

Now that the concrete barrier base has been constructed, work has begun on the new third eastbound lane that will run between Placerville Drive on-ramp to just east of Bedford Avenue. A lot of work will be taking place in May and June to build this lane and rebuild the center median. The Contractor is expecting to pave the new lane some time around the end of May, beginning of June.

Lower Main

Work in the area of Lower Main and the Placerville Drive connector is wrapping up. All the utility conduits have been placed in the ground, the new bridge is finished, and the Contractor will be working on the final sidewalk and driveways and then paving the road. In the beginning of June, the schedule calls for traffic to be able to go from Lower Main to Forni Road and from Forni Road to the eastbound onramp. Traffic will be able to go from Placerville Drive to Lower Main, but not in the opposite direction until this summer. Businesses in the area remain open and accessible during construction.

Bridges

Reconstruction of the Bedford Avenue Bridge has begun. The first part of reconstructing the bridge will be to build the new northbound side. This is why the bridge is only open to southbound traffic. At the end of June, the northbound side is expected to be completed, and work will start on the southbound side. The good news is there will be enough room to provide a lane in each direction returning access to Highway 50 from Main Street.

At that same time, work continues on widening both the Spring Street and Canal Street bridges. These bridges will remain open in the daytime to traffic in both directions during construction, but could be closed late at night. Detours will be provided when either of the bridges are closed. Construction on the widening and bridge rail is expected to go on through out the summer

Falsework is soon to be erected to construct the third section of the new overpass for Placerville Drive. This bridge is required to allow for two-way traffic using the new Main Street – Placerville Drive Connection. Now that the old bridge is gone, there is enough room to start grading and building the new wider road. It is expected that this bridge work should be completed in early August.

The south access ramp to the Bedford Pedestrian Overcrossing is complete. Work continues on the north side access ramps and retaining walls. This work is expected to be completed in early June, and then after paving the eastbound lane on Highway 50, the Contractor will be able to erect the falsework to construct the bridge. The bridge is expected to be completed and in use early this fall.

Placerville Drive Off-Ramp

Similar to the closure of the on-ramp two years ago, the off-ramp will have to be closed on Placerville Drive for around a month sometime later this summer. This will be the last piece that needs to be constructed to provide a route from Main Street to Placerville Drive. The on-ramp and route to Main Street from Placerville Drive will be open, and extra traffic control will be provided at the off ramp at the Western Placerville Drive.

Information Briefing

Want more information or the latest regarding the project? The Caltrans Project Manager updates the Council on progress of the Highway 50 Project every second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall, 549 Main St., or it can be seen on TV on Comcast Channel 2.

Construction Progress