Full closure of US50 over Echo Summit planned for June

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Work on US50 over Echo Summit to replace an 81-year-old bridge has resumed. The $14.1 million Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct Replacement Project will replace the bridge with a structure that meets current seismic and safety standards.

Travelers can expect daytime work with one-way reversing traffic now, with around-the-clock one-way traffic control from May 26 until May 31, then full closure from June 1 until about June 14.

Caltrans and its contractor expect work to be completed this year.

The current schedule:

Until May 22 - Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 7:00 a.m. to noon with one-way alternating traffic control to prepare the worksite.

Tuesday, May 26 until Sunday, May 31 - Around-the-clock one-way traffic control

June 1 until June 14 - Complete closure for bridge girder replacement work.

Local residents and those with local business or employment needs can apply for an application to use Johnson Pass Road to detour around the work site during the full closure. Proof of residency or local employment is required. To apply,
visit: https://www.way2tahoe.com/jpr

Currently, traffic into South Lake Tahoe is restricted to only essential needs due to COVID-19. Should the travel ordinance by El Dorado County be lifted, a detour route will be advertised. The detour route is via Highway 16 in Sacramento or Highway 49 in Placerville, to Highway 88 and Highway 89 back to Highway 50. An alternate route is Interstate 80 (see map above).

Due to travel volumes during the peak summer months, if this schedule can’t be met, the work will need to take place after Labor Day. Weather or other unexpected events may delay or prolong this work schedule.

The bridge was originally planned to be completed in Fall 2019 but there was an issue in getting the girder from Utah created and delivered.

For more information on the project, visit Way2.Tahoe.com on Twitter @way2Tahoe or on Facebook/Way2Tahoe.