Signal changes in Placerville help Hwy. 50 flow
Caltrans recently retimed the signal lights on Highway 50 in Placerville to help traffic flow in both directions.
On weekends until the Christmas close of apple season, signal lights at Canal Street, Spring Street and Bedford Avenue will be timed to maximize Highway 50 traffic flows. Based on computer modeling, Caltrans has programmed a combination of preset signal cycles to smooth actual traffic volumes at various times of the day. Signals that normally permit 120 seconds of highway traffic will be extended up to 180 seconds and optimized to assist flow between intersections.
These new “Apple Hill” plans were first used over the Labor Day weekend, some adjustments were made, and now the plans are in effect and running through the end of the Apple Hill season.
The new signal timing may also be used on other high-traffic holiday weekends and parts of ski season. Traditional signal timing will remain during weekdays.
Although motorists crossing north or south through the Highway 50 intersections will have a longer wait, the project will minimize the gridlock that can prevent north-south traffic from crossing the highway.
I’m a little bit surprised, knowing Placerville politics, that no one has suggested revenue producing red light cameras for those intersections – unless, of course, they have.
Say what you like about Cal Trans, they do, at least, seem to try and stay within the bounds of their priorities and their jurisdictions.
But I haven’t actually been off the highway in Placerville in a while – are they, like SLT, trying to use parking enforcement as a revenue producer? Given the gun toting, anti-government corruption nature of the hill dwellers of western El Dorado County, my guess would be no. I’m not especially fond of those folks, but they do serve a purpose.
I wish the signals at the Y could be set to move as much traffic as possible in the various conditions.
We have some traffic lights that need to be adjusted too. Lakeview Ave. stays green for Lakeview Ave. too long, stopping traffic on 50 too long. Wildwood light will turn red against highway 50 traffic when no cars are entering from Wildwood. If a sensor needs to be added at Wildwood, we’re not going to get one. The other lights seem okay to me.
the light at pioneer trail and ski run is the worst. its been this way for years. with gas over $3 a gallon, we have cars backed up on pioneer continually. I say pull all the sensors out, it can’t be any worse.
Hey Mike – – – – It can be worse. If you knew what it was like in 1970, before traffic light sensors, you would remember stopping at traffic lights constantly when there is no traffic coming from the other street. We have good traffic lights in town too. You’ve identified a problem traffic light that needs attention. Don’t throw out the sensors just because a few problem lights are not programed correctly.