Full closure of US50 over Echo Summit September 18-October 2

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The planned full closure of US50 over Echo Summit for the Sidehill Viaduct Replacement Project will take place September 18 to October 2, 2020. The week prior to that will be one-way controlled traffic as crews prepare for replacement of the existing bridge.

Originally set for completion in 2019, the seven precast bridge girders needed were not completed in time. That pushed the completion date to Spring 2020. There were one-way controlled traffic controls then but a full closure wouldn't have been until the end of June.

Many in South Lake Tahoe thought that would be devastating financially after being closed for a few months due to the pandemic. Caltrans moved the final stage of the project to after Labor Day.

This $14.1 million 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 2019.

The construction zone will extend from the Caltrans Echo Maintenance Station, east for 1.2 miles.

Requests for passes for local residents and businesses to use Johnson Pass Road as a detour around the worksite can be applied for at this time. Applicants should only be local daily commuters. For those who have already submitted their application, DO NOT apply again. Caltrans will be in touch via email or phone on your pass status. Apply HERE.

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