US50 over Echo Summit closes early Friday for bridge replacement

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The planned two-week closure of U.S. Highway 50 along a 1.2 mile stretch of Echo Summit will begin Friday, September 18 at 3:00 a.m. One-lane controlled traffic has been happening all week, and now both lanes will be closed as crews replace the 1939 bridge with brand new girders to meet seismic and safety standards.

Residents on both sides of the closure that commute to jobs or for business purposes on the other side have been able to get resident passes to utilize Johnson Pass Road instead of driving around to Placerville via SR89, 88 and 49. Demand has been high for the passes, double of what were requested in 2011 when the highway was closed over the summit.

Steve Nelson of Caltrans has been at their Meyers facility to handle permits this week since online applications ended last week. He said he's seen 100 people a day since Monday. Previously 1,600 permits were issued online.

There will be signage to alert drivers to use SR89 prior to driving up the summit, unless they have a permit. Caltrans will be providing escorted one-way traffic on Johnson Pass Road since it is not wide enough for two lanes of traffic. Large trucks and cars with trailers are prohibited.

If necessary for safety reasons, Nelson said the California Highway Patrol (CHP) could turn traffic around at either end of the bypass.

Lake Valley Fire will be having an engine on the west side of the closure in case of emergency.

With the closure of the Eldorado National Forest, Iron Mountain Road (Mormon Emigrant Trail) from SR88 to Pollock Pines will not be accessible. It is possible that closure could end on September 21 if fire conditions are more favorable.

Caltrans is maintaining a special website for the Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct Project and will provide updates there as well as on social media. To access that information, visit https://www.way2tahoe.com/.