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Caltrans: Emergency road repairs on US 50 likely to cause delays

U.S. 50 at Bridal Veil Falls remains open one lane in each direction as emergency work continues to stabilize the slope.
Courtesy Caltrans

Motorists traveling on U.S. 50 between Kyburz and Placerville should expect delays resulting from emergency repairs, Caltrans warned Wednesday.

According to a news release, the highway in Silver Fork between Weber Mill Road and Wildwood Way will be under daytime one-way reversing traffic controls Monday through Saturday. The altered traffic flow is expected to last two weeks, although Caltrans warned it may take longer.

Crews will be installing two new culverts under the highway and clearing a drainage inlet. Work started Wednesday.

Father west on U.S. 50 in Fresh Pond, a section of the second westbound lane will close starting Thursday in order to stabilize the slope off the highway. Crews will work behind a k-rail while working on this four-lane section of the highway, according to Caltrans.

Both repair projects come as crews continue to stabilize the slope near Bridal Veil Falls where a portion of the highway collapsed in late February, following a series of storms that dumped snow in the mountains and rain at lower elevations.

Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction and will likely remain so for the next several months as workers continues to stabilize the slope off the westbound side, according to Caltrans. They will also be building a new 600-foot retaining wall, which is expected to take several months.

The total cost of the repairs has yet to be determined, but Caltrans District 3 has issued 45 emergency contracts related to 2016-17 major winter storm events at a cost of $63.4 million.

Motorists should check highway conditions before traveling in the mountains by using QuickMap or calling 1-800-427-ROAD.


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