Eastbound SR 20 Closes Tuesday for Bridge Work

Update: Closure dates have been delayed and are now scheduled for 6 PM Tuesday, August 25 through 6 AM Sunday, August 30.

EMIGRANT GAP — Caltrans will close eastbound State Route 20 between the Omega Scenic Overlook and Interstate 80 for nearly a full week, from 6 PM Tuesday, August 25, through 6 AM Sunday, August 30. The eastbound Interstate 80 off-ramp to State Route 20 closes in the same window. Westbound State Route 20 stays open the whole time between Interstate 80 and Nevada City, so the disruption runs in one direction.

The week buys crews time to install falsework, the temporary scaffolding that holds a bridge deck in place while it is built. The span going up is a new westbound Interstate 80 bridge, part of the $112 million Yuba Pass Separation Overhead Bridge Project. Drivers on State Route 20 have already been passing through a one-way control at the site this month.

Caltrans is sending drivers around the closure on two routes. From the Nevada City and Grass Valley area, the department directs traffic south on State Route 49 to Interstate 80 at Auburn, or south on State Route 174 to Colfax. Large trucks are limited to State Route 49. Sierra County drivers who already run State Route 49 down to Auburn are on one of the posted detours by default, and Caltrans has asked motorists using either route to build in extra travel time.

Eastbound Interstate 80 drivers who want State Route 20 are directed past the interchange to Eagle Lakes Road, then back onto westbound Interstate 80 to reach the westbound State Route 20 off-ramp.

More work is coming. Caltrans says additional closures are scheduled through October, and a related project release describes the fall work as intermittent with exact dates still to be set. The department cautions that weather, materials, and other delays can move the schedule.