AUBURN
, CALIF.
-- The PlacerCountyBoard of Supervisors on Tuesday OK'd an expedited approval process to allow the Department of Public Works to move forward with repairs to Foresthill Road. The roadway east of Drivers Flat was damaged this spring after significant rains caused embankment failures and road slippage in two places.
As the saturated road base dried this summer, the slippage has slowed and allowed geotechnical experts to conduct an investigation. Those tests determined that multiple factors contributed to the slide, including a huge amount of rain soaking into already saturated soil and poor soil conditions.
"We’ve determined why the roadway failed, what we need to do to fix it, and are finalizing construction plans ," said Ken Grehm, Director of Public Works for the County. "We expect construction to begin after Labor Day and repairs to be completed before the rainy season begins."
The repairs will entail digging down 15 feet below the base of the slope to original soil and rebuilding the failed section of roadway. In addition, an extensive underground drainage system will be installed both under and above the roadway. Improvements will also be made to areas adjacent to the slide areas to help ensure there are no future failures.
The project is expected to go out to bid by the end of July, with a contract in place by Labor Day. Work is anticipated to begin shortly after that holiday and take two to three months to complete.
The Department of Public Works intends to keep a lane in each direction open during the repairs. There may be short periods during construction when traffic will be reduced to one lane. Road controls will be in place during those times.
Motorists are reminded that the speed limit through the slide areas will remain 25 mph until repairs are complete. Motorists are urged to use extra caution when driving on this damaged section of Foresthill Road, due to the lane rerouting and the presence of construction crews.