Caltrans announced on April 29, 2011 that it will temporarily close U.S. Highway 50 at Echo Summit for a two week period beginning May 11th, 2011 (depending on weather). The closure is part of the first stage of a safety enhancement project that will remove damaged rock walls and replace them with a barrier that meets current Caltrans safety standards.
As a result of this project, Thruway bus service to Placerville, CA will be suspended for the 2-week period beginning on May 11th through May 26th.
The following adjustments will be made for local passengers traveling ONLY between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe on Route 20c from May 11th-26th:
Passengers traveling from Sacramento to: Placerville (PCV) may use the services of El Dorado Transit. The fare is $1.50 and details are available by visiting the website – www.eldoradotransit.com/schedules.htm.
Passengers traveling from Sacramento to: South Lake Tahoe Transit Center (SLT), Stateline Transit Center (SLH), Stateline/Kingsbury (SLN) will be accommodated as usual, with slight delays.
Local passengers traveling from South Lake Tahoe Transit Center (SLT), Stateline Transit Center (SLH), and Stateline/Kingsbury (SLN) will NOT be able to off-board at Placerville (PCV). Service from these stops will be to the Sacramento Amtrak station only.
Prior to and immediately after the full closure taking place in the Placerville region, Caltrans will implement one-way controlled traffic on May 9 and 10, and then again on during the week, Mondays through noon on Fridays, for up to six weeks after U.S. Highway 50 is reopened. The highway will be open with no restrictions on Memorial Day weekend.
Thruway bus service in each direction between Sacramento, Placerville and Lake Tahoe will experience delays during the one-way controls. Passengers arriving at Sacramento via motorcoach connection from Lake Tahoe Stateline, the Tahoe Wye and Placerville (when service is available to and from Placerville) will be accommodated aboard the next available westbound Capitol Corridor train at Sacramento.