(PLACERVILLE, CA) – El Dorado County Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced it will fully close Fort Jim Road at its westerly intersection with Newtown Road starting Thursday, November 30th, to construct permanent roadway repairs at South Fork Weber Creek. The full closure will remain in place for approximately 6 weeks, depending on weather.
Fort Jim Road was closed on January 5, 2017 after storm driven flows from South Fork Weber Creek damaged a 96" diameter culvert and washed out material around the culvert, causing the road to collapse. After flows in South Fork Weber Creek receded enough to allow DOT to evaluate the damage, DOT implemented temporary repairs that allowed Fort Jim Road to be reopened on April 19.
"After the worst winter in 20 years and the massive failure of Fort Jim Road as a result, we made temporary repairs to allow residents to travel the road safely for a period of time," said DOT Director, Rafael Martinez. "It was always with the understanding that another closure would be necessary for a permanent repair, which we communicated to the public, and we're at that point today."
The permanent repairs will feature a 22' wide, 9' tall precast concrete bottomless arch culvert with precast concrete headwalls. Funding for the permanent repairs comes from Federal Emergency Management Agency, California Office of Emergency Services, and El Dorado County.
Motorists wishing to use Fort Jim Road to travel to or from Placerville during the closure will be detoured to Newtown Road. The full closure of Fort Jim Road may extend through winter and early spring if flows in South Fork Weber Creek increase such that the permanent repairs cannot be constructed safely.
###
Providing safe, healthy and vibrant communities; respecting our natural resources and historical heritage.