Caltrans projects in South Lake Tahoe and on Echo Summit set to resume in May

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will be returning to the South Shore of Lake Tahoe this spring to complete two major projects.

The $57 million multi-year project from the "Y" intersection of US50 and SR89 to the Trout Creek Bridge is almost complete. Once the temperatures are high enough for the setting of paint, crews will be returning to South Lake Tahoe to complete striping and stencil work, and to finish synchronization of the stoplights from the "Y" to Sierra Boulevard. Work is expected to resume around May 4 and should take a month or so to complete.

This project has consisted of drainage systems to collect and treat stormwater runoff, rebuilding of curbs, gutters and sidewalks, widening of the highway to allow for bike lanes, and resurfacing of the roadway.

The second project will result in the closure of US50 over Echo Summit. The $14.1 million project to replace the 1939 Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct, located 7 miles west of South Lake Tahoe, was set to be completed in 2019 but the needed girders were not completed due to last year's freeze on needed supplies. The new structure will meet current design and safety standards.

The timing on this project depends on the Utah company that is building the girders. They still have to be cast and delivered but as of this time, the contractor Q & D is planning on full closure of Echo Summit May 8-22. Crews will arrive in the next couple of weeks and begin setting up the construction site.

Dates on both projects could change.