Caltrans looking at roundabout or traffic signal in Meyers

Due to the unsafe intersection of Highway 50 and State Route 89, Caltrans is looking at safety improvements in the area to reduce collisions, and their severity. At this time, the preferred option for Caltrans is adding a roundabout at the intersection to improve conditions after a reported seven accidents at the intersection.

The estimated $3.1 million project is scheduled for construction in 2018-19. It is currently in the environmental phase, with the environmental document scheduled to be finalized in November 2016.

There will be public meetings on the project, probably in April, 2016.

"The preferred alternative at this time is a roundabout but other options are still being considered," said Steven Nelson of Caltrans. "this could be a signal or other design changes to the intersection."

When asked if they could combine the project with their planning 2019 replacement of the Echo Summit bridges, Nelson said no, they were being built during two different years.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) gave a $45,000 grant to El Dorado County to look at safety and access improvements throughout he corridor according to Morgan Beryl, Associate Transportation Planner for TRPA.

"As part of the project, the Federal Highway Administration conducted a Road Safety Assessment with a diverse group of stakeholders including CalTrans, El Dorado County, TRPA, CHP, and community representatives," said Beryl.

Sue Novasel, County Supervisor for South Lake Tahoe and Meyers, said she was concerned about the roundabout and its effect on the current chain up area on the road shoulder in the area. The local CHP office also has concerns about a roundabout.