Could Meyers have a second roundabout by 2021?

A change is proposed for the Pioneer Trail - Highway 50 intersection in Meyers, but what that change will look like is unknown.

During a public meeting on Wednesday, the El Dorado County Transportation Department (EDCDOT) and their planning partners unveiled posters of the two options for the intersection: a roundabout or an upgraded signal (doing nothing is also an option). Community members asked questions, left ideas on a map and are now encouraged to continue in the process by submitting comments.

About two dozen residents took part during the open house-style meeting. Supervisor Sue Novasel was also there to answer questions.

The project is called the "Pioneer Trail - US Highway 50 Intersection Safety Improvement Project" and is part of a bigger strategy of accomplishing what is known as complete streets within the 1.3 mile stretch of the Meyers Corridor identified in the Meyers Area Plan. Caltrans is responsible for the portion they are currently working on, the roundabout at the intersection of SR 89 and Highway 50, with the County as a partner at the proposed project.

Caltrans should be finished with the 89/50 roundabout by fall.

A concern of Meyers residents is the traffic gridlock on holidays and weekends through their neighborhoods. This new Pioneer Trail project is not meant to alleviate that but instead is meant to improve safety and efficiency for all users of the insection the rest of the time.

Safety for pedestrians and cyclists would be improved the most with a roundabout according to Donaldo Palaroan of EDCDOT. He also said the intersection also has a lot of collisions of vehicles, most of which result from those making a right turn from Highway 50 onto Pioneer Trail.

Both a roundabout and an upgraded signal would have three crosswalks instead of the current single one and both options have a dedicated right turn lane from Hwy. 50 onto Pioneer Trail.

A roundabout would have a through traffic lane on the outside and a wide ane that would go through the circle. The lane would be 21-feet wide with a 12-foot 'truck apron.' The middle of the roundabout would have a 4-6 foot high mound of dirt with landscaping, but no planned hardscaping. When asked if the center could feature art or signage, planners said it would be highly unlikely since it is on the Caltrans right-of-way.

There are other chances for the public to participate in planning the intersection. The next one will be during the Board of Supervisors meeting at the end of June. Then, during the Draft Environmental Document stage, there will be public input opportunities. That step should be at the beginning of 2020. Construction is tentatively planned to begin in Spring 2021.

All written inquiries and comments can be sent to Palaroan at donaldo.palaroan@edcgov.us. He can be reached at 530.573.7920.