Caltrans has begun work to improve 41 lane miles of Highway 50 from the Sawmill Road undercrossing to the South Fork American River Bridge in El Dorado County.

Money to pay for it comes from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. The $7.1 million pavement project was awarded to Lamon Construction of Yuba City. Crews will be working weeknights from 9pm to 6am. Plan for delays.

The project involves overlaying the existing roadway with rubberized hot mix asphalt, which will provide a quieter ride and improve traction.

“Highway 50 endures a lot of wear and tear due to the weather elements in the upper elevations,” Caltrans Director Laurie Berman said in a press release. “It’s critical that we preserve the drivability of the highway.”

On average more than 21,000 motorists and 700 truckers per day use this section of Highway 50.