EL DORADO COUNTY (October 4, 2023) – The Diamond Springs Parkway is an upcoming four-lane, separated road that will link Missouri Flat Road to State Route 49. The main aim of this project is to enhance traffic safety and efficiency along sections of State Route 49 around Diamond Springs. This ew roadway will serve as an alternate route from SR-49 to US-50, easing traffic congestion through the charming town of Diamond Springs. Additionally, the project will boost safety on Diamond Road/SR-49 by minimizing residential driveway entrances through the construction of a new frontage road.
“The Parkway will be a game changer for the residents of Diamond Springs as well as [South County residents]. Not only is it anticipated to reduce traffic in downtown Diamond Springs by 8,500 cars a day, it will be a critical evacuation route in times of emergency. After 27 years, we are finally going to build this roadway! This legacy project will make a significant difference in addressing our circulation and congestion issues around Diamond Springs.” Writes Wendy Thomas, District Two Supervisor.
Diamond Springs Parkway is an integral component of the County’s future blueprint for a well-structured four-lane divided thoroughfare, seamlessly linking Missouri Flat Road to State Route 49 (Hwy 49). This significant endeavor encompasses the realignment and expansion of SR-49, stretching from Pleasant Valley Road to Bradley Drive, before extending to the enhanced portion of Missouri Flat Road, leading up to Highway 50.
The main objective of this project is to enhance the safety and efficiency of the traffic flow on SR-49 and Missouri Flat Road in the vicinity of Diamond Springs. Currently, this corridor experiences a higher than usual number of traffic delays and accidents. To address these issues, the project will create a parallel connection between SR-49 and US-50, specifically between Missouri Flat Road and Diamond Road. These enhancements will alleviate traffic congestion and ensure a satisfactory level of service while passing through the historical town of Diamond Springs, aligning with the County’s General Plan.
The newly established connector is projected to reduce commuter traffic passing through Diamond Springs to only 55% of the current traffic volumes, resulting in a significant reduction in Average Daily Traffic (ADT) from 18,500 to 10,000 vehicles. This will greatly enhance the overall traffic situation in the town. Additionally, this project aims to improve pedestrian safety, provide better access to existing businesses, and minimize vibration and noise within the Diamond Springs historic district. To beautify the area, the project includes aesthetic improvements such as burying overhead utilities underground, installing vintage-style street light fixtures, and utilizing a Sierra Drystack stone surface treatment on retaining walls.
- Phase 1A of the project completed construction in February 2022. It realigns SR-49 from Pleasant Valley Road to north of Lime Kiln Road, with construction of four, 12-ft lanes with 8-ft shoulders, including a frontage road for existing residential driveways. This phase also includes a sidewalk along SR-49, transit bus turnouts, signal modifications at Pleasant Valley Road/SR-49, and left turn lanes at the Lime Kiln/Black Rice intersection.
- Phase 1B of the project is anticipated to begin in 2024. Phase 1B constructs a 4-lane roadway from a new Missouri Flat Road intersection south of Golden Center Drive to a new intersection at SR-49 south of Bradley Drive. Multimodal features of Phase 1B include Class II bike lanes, sidewalk and transit bus turnouts on both sides of the Parkway. This phase also includes new traffic signals at the intersections of Missouri Flat Road, Throwita Way and SR-49.
