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El Dorado 50 - HOV Lanes

Photo of El Dorado 50

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project will construct bus-carpool (HOV) lanes in the eastbound and westbound directions by widening U.S. Highway 50 from approximately El Dorado Hills Boulevard to just west of Greenstone Road. The project will ultimately extend the current HOV lane system to provide approximately 23 continuous miles of eastbound and westbound HOV lanes between Sacramento and El Dorado counties. The project also includes bridge modifications, lighting improvements and new asphalt overlay. The project will be constructed in three phases: Phase 1 will extend the current HOV lanes from their existing terminus west of El Dorado Hills Boulevard to west of Bass Lake Road. Design of this phase is currently underway. Construction is scheduled to start in Fall 2008 with completion in Summer 2010. Construction for a portion of this phase is funded by the Proposition 1B bond approved by voters in November, 2006. Phase 2 will extend the lanes from west of Bass Lake Road to approximately Ponderosa Road. Construction is currently targeted to start in Summer 2009 with completion in late Fall 2011. Phase 3 will extend the lanes from Ponderosa Road to just west of Greenstone Road. Construction is currently targeted to start in Summer 2011 with completion in late Winter 2013.

PURPOSE AND NEED
Highway 50 serves as the transportation backbone in eastern Sacramento and western El Dorado counties, and is experiencing increasing commute period traffic congestion.  This area is one of the largest job centers in the Sacramento region and is expected to have significant residential and employment growth over the next twenty years.  Alleviating traffic congestion from the travel patterns associated with this anticipated growth is needed to support continued economic growth in the Sacramento region.  The project will address and provide the following benefits:

  • Ease traffic
  • Improve travel between major regional housing and employment centers.
  • Enhance safety.
  • Reduce air pollution.
  • Provide time incentives for ridesharing and transit use.