The ongoing construction projects in Diamond Springs have drawn attention and occasionally caused inconvenience for local drivers. The El Dorado County Department of Transportation (DOT) has provided an update on the current and upcoming work. Rafael Martinez, the County's Director of Transportation, stated, "We want the traveling public to better understand the how and why behind the construction projects they’ve been seeing for the last couple years and will continue to see as DOT works to make that area safer," in a release from the El Dorado County website.
To manage traffic flow, DOT has planned several construction projects in succession rather than at the same time. The funding for these improvements comes from dedicated infrastructure budgets and not maintenance funds. Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects often apply for state and federal grants for traffic circulation, safety, and alternative transportation options like transit and bike lanes. The Public Safety Facility and its traffic signal upgrades were completed in June 2024.
The upgrades included an underground utility district to remove utility poles and overhead lines, funded by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). This work was part of the Diamond Springs Parkway Phase 1A project, which realigned and widened SR-49, along with the undergrounding along Missouri Flat Road. Diamond Springs Parkway Phase 1B will begin in May, with a four-lane road, sidewalks, and bike lanes.
Active transportation has also been a focus, with the El Dorado Trail’s westward extension completed in 2020, funded by a state Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant. DOT is now working to connect the east and west parts of the trail with a bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing at Missouri Flat Road, expected to finish in May. "By necessity, there will be temporary traffic control and detours during these ongoing construction projects to ensure motorist and worker safety," Martinez said in the same release.
Notices about closures or traffic changes will be posted a week in advance. Those with questions about the construction can contact the County's Transportation main line.
