Placerville updates interchange progress

The overall Western Placerville Interchanges Project is a comprehensive solution to existing and future operational issues on the State Highway and local road systems at the two Highway 50 interchanges at Placerville Drive and Ray Lawyer Drive. Estimated to cost over $40 million total, construction is proposed to be phased as funding allows. Phase 1A is under construction and consists of a westbound onramp from Ray Lawyer Drive and an auxiliary lane to connect to the offramp at Placerville Drive. Future phases include 1B (Fair Lane bike lanes and sidewalk) and Phase 2, which consists of improvements to Ray Lawyer Drive and Forni Road south of Highway 50 near the jail and proposed new courts facility. Future phases will construct the Placerville Drive overcrossing and associated local road improvements.

The Placerville City Council took action to proceed with next stage of design which will review the pros and cons of a signalized versus roundabout intersection at the junction of Fair Lane Drive and Placerville Drive. In addition, final design will be prepared for a major portion of Phase 2. The city looks forward to continued discussion and public input on the issue and further progress in improving traffic for these areas.

Beginning Feb. 26, 2013, city council meetings will start one hour earlier, at 6 p.m. The council approved this action at its meeting on Jan. 22.