Caltrans: No Echo Summit locals passes available at this time

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Ever since the information was released about the possibility of closing US50 over Echo Summit at the end of September, the Caltrans Maintenance Yard in Meyers has been inundated with requests for a local's pass. If the highway is closed, locals will have an option to head west via Johnson's Pass Road.

As was stated in South Tahoe Now and other local media outlets, all information about the possible closure and local's passes will be released at two upcoming public meetings:

Town Hall, 549 Main Street, Placerville: Wednesday, Sept. 4, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

California Conservation Corps Tahoe Center, 1949 Apache Ave, Meyers: Thursday, Sept. 5, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

No passes are being issued from the Caltrans yard at this time. The contractor on the project may need to close the highway for up to 14 days to install new girders and demolition work on the existing bridge structure.

The $14.1 million Highway 50 Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct project is replacing the existing bridge, which was built in 1939, with a structure that meets current seismic and safety standards. Construction started in May and will be completed either this fall or next spring.