Virtual ribbon-cutting for U.S. Highway 50 Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct Replacement Project

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. – Caltrans has recognized the successful completion of the U.S. Highway 50 Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct Replacement Project with a virtual ribbon-cutting video.

Because in-person events have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the department chose this virtual ribbon-cutting event to acknowledge the efforts of its staff, contractor Q&D Construction and the collaboration with local partner agencies in making this challenging project a successful one.

This $14.1 million project replaced the existing bridge, which was completed in 1939 at a cost of $25,000, with one that meets current safety and seismic standards. The project included $5.2 million in funding from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. Construction started in the spring of 2019 and was completed this fall.

The work required a full closure of Highway 50 over the summit in September to install seven precast 96-foot bridge girders, demolition of the old bridge, barrier wall work and paving the approaches to the new bridge. The full closure was completed five days ahead of the two-week schedule and incorporated elements of Caltrans’ Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) approach to complete projects faster and more efficiently.

Time lapse videos of the construction can be viewed here:
https://bit.ly/2V9CfbD
https://bit.ly/3pYTbzY

Virtual ribbon-cutting video: https://bit.ly/3nXikcn