U.S. Highway 50 Echo Summit project ahead of schedule

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Crews working on replacing the 81-year-old bridge on US50 over Echo Summit are ahead of schedule and the road may reopen before the previous opening date of October 2. The ultra high-performance concrete that connects the seven 96-foot girders has cured and the bridge is at strength.

Wednesday morning the inside concrete barrier rail was poured and the outside concrete barrier rail is planned to be poured on Thursday. Asphalt paving on the approaches to the bridge is planned to start this Sunday.

DETOUR ROUTE INFO: If you're planning to visit South Lake Tahoe, take the alternate route using Highways 16,49,88 and 89 back to Highway 50 in Meyers. For more information on the scenic detour route through Amador, El Dorado and Alpine County visit here.

DAILY UPDATES: Daily updates and more photos of construction for the Echo Summit Bridge replacement project can be found here.

The U.S. Highway 50 Echo Summit project is replacing the existing bridge, built in 1939, with a structure that meets current safety and seismic standards. Additional project information can be found at Way2Tahoe.com.