State spending millions on El Dorado County projects

The state’s vast transportation system received a major infusion of cash Tuesday as the California Transportation Commission allocated $878 million in funding to 114 projects that will support job growth, alleviate traffic delays, and repair aging roads and bridges.

The allocations include $476 million from Proposition 1B, a 2006 voter-approved transportation bond. In total, nearly $15.5 billion in Proposition 1B funds have been put to work statewide.

El Dorado County funding includes:

The allocation of $1.3 million to install a pedestrian overcrossing in Placerville at Coloma Street and Smith Flat Road undercrossing. These projects will seismic retrofit two bridges to maintain structural integrity and reduce the risk to lives and properties during seismic events.

For the water quality project from Johnson Pass Road to Incline Road near South Lake Tahoe comes $6.6 million. The construction of water quality collection and treatment facilities will enhance streams, rivers, and Lake Tahoe.

To construct an 8-foot wide Class I bike bath in Placerville from Forni Road-Lower Main Street to Ray Lawyer Drive and within the former Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way there is $25,000. This project will offer a viable transportation alternative to bicycle commuters and recreations opportunity to pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians by providing a safe direct route between residence and major activity centers.