Completed GV & County Projects
The Nevada County Transportation Commission is pleased to present several completed projects that enhance ease of travel and safety in our county.
Brunswick Road/Loma Rica Drive Intersection Improvement Project
Brunswick Road links SR 49 in the Brunswick Basin to SR 174 and is one of the most heavily traveled county-maintained roadways with 15,300 Average Daily Trips (ADT). Loma Rica Drive links Brunswick Road to Loma Rica Industrial Park and the Nevada County Airport and it has 6,500 ADT. There were 42 collisions reported between 2000 and 2015, which is the highest collision rate for any county controlled intersection. The public perceives most collisions to be weather related, but only 10 of the 42 occurred between November and March, while 11 collisions occurred in the month of June. The project ranks as the highest remaining undelivered priority in the Regional Traffic Mitigation Fee (RTMF) Capital Improvement Program for future improvement. A Feasibility Study conducted in 2013 by Kimley-Horn and Associates resulted in the preferred option to install a traffic signal, widen the intersection, install specialized pavement treatments and drainage improvements, and ITS designs to improve intersection operations and safety. The county approved the project at a bid price of $935,293.12 to Koch & Koch, Inc. Construction began in May 2015 and was completed in 45 working days. Read Joshua Pack's full report to get all details of the project.
Brunswick/Loma Rica Intersection Project Memo - May 2015 by Joshua Pack, Principal Civil Engineer, Nevada County Department of Public Works
Brunswick Road links SR 49 in the Brunswick Basin to SR 174 and is one of the most heavily traveled county-maintained roadways with 15,300 Average Daily Trips (ADT). Loma Rica Drive links Brunswick Road to Loma Rica Industrial Park and the Nevada County Airport and it has 6,500 ADT. There were 42 collisions reported between 2000 and 2015, which is the highest collision rate for any county controlled intersection. The public perceives most collisions to be weather related, but only 10 of the 42 occurred between November and March, while 11 collisions occurred in the month of June. The project ranks as the highest remaining undelivered priority in the Regional Traffic Mitigation Fee (RTMF) Capital Improvement Program for future improvement. A Feasibility Study conducted in 2013 by Kimley-Horn and Associates resulted in the preferred option to install a traffic signal, widen the intersection, install specialized pavement treatments and drainage improvements, and ITS designs to improve intersection operations and safety. The county approved the project at a bid price of $935,293.12 to Koch & Koch, Inc. Construction began in May 2015 and was completed in 45 working days. Read Joshua Pack's full report to get all details of the project.
Brunswick/Loma Rica Intersection Project Memo - May 2015 by Joshua Pack, Principal Civil Engineer, Nevada County Department of Public Works
Dorsey Drive Interchange - Project Completed November 10, 2014
Construction of the Dorsey Drive Interchange started on May 6, 2013 and was opened for traffic on November 10, 2014. The City of Grass Valley was the lead agency working in partnership with the Nevada County Transportation Commission and Caltrans. Construction information was posted on a special website at www.dorseyinterchange.com and a project information hotline was available at (530) 268-4573. The contractor, McGuire and Hester of Oakland, was approved to construct the project at $15,191,874.
Construction of the Dorsey Drive Interchange started on May 6, 2013 and was opened for traffic on November 10, 2014. The City of Grass Valley was the lead agency working in partnership with the Nevada County Transportation Commission and Caltrans. Construction information was posted on a special website at www.dorseyinterchange.com and a project information hotline was available at (530) 268-4573. The contractor, McGuire and Hester of Oakland, was approved to construct the project at $15,191,874.
The Dorsey Drive Interchange project converted the existing overcrossing of SR 20/49 to an interchange that allows access to the Golden Center Freeway in Grass Valley. The purpose of the project was to provide improved access to high-use sites in the area, including the Nevada County Sierra College Campus and Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital. The interchange also improve traffic operations at the adjacent Brunswick Road and Idaho-Maryland Road interchanges and provide additional capacity on Dorsey Drive for future planned development, in accordance with the General Plans of Grass Valley and Nevada County. Project components included:
- Widen the Dorsey Drive overcrossing from two to five lanes with two of those lanes designated for left turns
- Construction of on- and off-ramps to SR 20/49
- Addition of auxiliary lanes on SR 20/49 freeway from Dorsey Drive south to the Idaho-Maryland Road exit and north to the Brunswick Road interchange
- Widening of Dorsey Drive to East Main Street and to Pampas Drive with enhancements for pedestrians and bicyclists
- Modify a portion of Joerschke Drive to a one-direction off-ramp for southbound SR 20/49 traffic
September 2014 Newsletter - Dorsey Drive Interchange Project
September 2014 Grass Valley Staff Update of the Dorsey Drive Interchange Project
- Dorsey Drive Interchange - view 1
- Dorsey Drive Interchange - view 2
- Dorsey Drive Interchange - view 3
SR 49 Widening at LaBarr Meadows - Project Completed in September 2013
The State Route (SR) 49/La Barr Meadows Road Project relocated the existing La Barr Meadows Road intersection at SR 49 south of the previous location and installed a traffic signal. The project also widened the highway from two to four lanes to the north and south of the new intersection with turn pockets to provide adequate vehicle storage and left turn movements at the signal. Frontage roads were constructed to eliminate direct access to the highway from side roads and driveways. Vehicles now access SR 49 from the new signal. The design features relieved existing congestion and eliminated ingress and egress conditions that contributed to a high rate of accidents within the project area. The project limits begin 0.7 miles north of Alta Sierra Drive and extends to 0.5 miles south of Wellswood Way.
The total project cost was estimated at $29.1 million; approximately $20.9 million was programmed through the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), $2 million through ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) funds, and $6.2 million was provided from the Corridor Mobility Improvement Account (CMIA), utilizing funds approved by the passage of Proposition 1B. Design and right-of-way for the project were completed in April 2009. The project was completed in September 2013.
Click here to view an overview of the SR 49/La Barr Meadows Widening Project
Caltrans Drawing of the SR 49/La Barr Meadows Road Project
(large file ... please be patient as it loads)
The State Route (SR) 49/La Barr Meadows Road Project relocated the existing La Barr Meadows Road intersection at SR 49 south of the previous location and installed a traffic signal. The project also widened the highway from two to four lanes to the north and south of the new intersection with turn pockets to provide adequate vehicle storage and left turn movements at the signal. Frontage roads were constructed to eliminate direct access to the highway from side roads and driveways. Vehicles now access SR 49 from the new signal. The design features relieved existing congestion and eliminated ingress and egress conditions that contributed to a high rate of accidents within the project area. The project limits begin 0.7 miles north of Alta Sierra Drive and extends to 0.5 miles south of Wellswood Way.
The total project cost was estimated at $29.1 million; approximately $20.9 million was programmed through the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), $2 million through ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) funds, and $6.2 million was provided from the Corridor Mobility Improvement Account (CMIA), utilizing funds approved by the passage of Proposition 1B. Design and right-of-way for the project were completed in April 2009. The project was completed in September 2013.
Click here to view an overview of the SR 49/La Barr Meadows Widening Project
Caltrans Drawing of the SR 49/La Barr Meadows Road Project
(large file ... please be patient as it loads)
Operational Improvements at Smith Road and SR 49
This project will construct a right-turn pocket lane on southbound SR 49 with a standard public road approach that is tapered with 4 foot shoulders. Funding is from the SHOPP Minor B Program. Design and Environmental studies are complete. Bids opened on 10/27/15 and the contract was awarded to Patterson Taber General Engineering Inc. for $188,661. Construction is scheduled to begin by mid-June 2016. Construction Capital = $280,000.
Rubberized HMA-Open Graded Overlay on SR 49 from the County Line at Bear River Bridge to Separation of SR 20 in Grass Valley
The project placed 0.10-foot rubberized HMA-open graded overlay on SR 49 from the county line at the Bear River Bridge, to the SR 20 separation in Grass Valley. The project skipped over the recently completed La Barr Meadows project limits. There was a HMA-Dike replacement, and Metal Beam Guard Rail work at certain locations to maintain hydraulic and safety standards. New striping was placed on all overlay areas. The project was funded from the Major Maintenance (HM124) program. Bids opened on 4/23/15, and the project was awarded to Teichert Construction for $3,998,277. Construction work started on 6/26/15, and was completed by late September.
The project placed 0.10-foot rubberized HMA-open graded overlay on SR 49 from the county line at the Bear River Bridge, to the SR 20 separation in Grass Valley. The project skipped over the recently completed La Barr Meadows project limits. There was a HMA-Dike replacement, and Metal Beam Guard Rail work at certain locations to maintain hydraulic and safety standards. New striping was placed on all overlay areas. The project was funded from the Major Maintenance (HM124) program. Bids opened on 4/23/15, and the project was awarded to Teichert Construction for $3,998,277. Construction work started on 6/26/15, and was completed by late September.
Operational Improvements at Brewer Road and SR 49
This project constructed a right-turn pocket lane on northbound SR 49 to reduce congestion, potential rear-end collisions, and improve sight distance for northbound traffic. It is located approximately 10 miles south of Grass Valley at the SR 49/Brewer Road intersection. The project is funded from the SHOPP Minor A Program and preliminary design and environmental work started in July 2014 with the Caltrans Design and Environmental units. It was advertised on December 22, 2014 and awarded on February 10, 2015 to America Pacific Construction for $174,426. Construction work started on July 20, 2015 and was completed by late September. Construction capital = $400,000.
Operational Improvements at Carriage Road and Ladybird Drive
This project upgraded two intersections on State Route (SR) 49 at Carriage Road and Ladybird Drive by adding right-turn lanes and widening shoulders. It was funded by the State Highway Operations and Protection Program (SHOPP) Minor A Program. These improvements are identified as part of the SR 49 Corridor System Management Plan and involved stakeholders from local agencies and local citizens. The project was awarded to the lowest bidder, Hansen Brothers Enterprises, on October 8, 2013 in the amount of $764,335. Construction began the week of April 21, 2014 and is 100% complete. Roadway excavation and embankment work are complete. The contractor installed the new roadway structural section and striping was completed. Existing culverts were lined. Trees were planted and are being watered for proper establishment. The project was completed on September 22, 2014. The final construction cost was $946,600.
Operational Improvements at Holcomb Drive and Cherry Creek Road
This project upgraded the intersection at Cherry Creek Road on SR 49 by adding a right-turn lane and widening the shoulder. It was funded by the SHOPP Minor A Program. The project was advertised on March 24, 2014 and was awarded on June 20, 2014 to Herback General Engineering of Minden, Nevada in the amount of $429,304. Construction began on August 18, 2014 and was estimated to take 40 working days with completion near the end of October 2014.
Reconstruct Embankment and Roadway at Alta Sierra Drive
Located south of Grass Valley at Alta Sierra Drive, the project repaired the roadway on SR 49 in Nevada County beginning at post mile 9.1/9.2. It was funded by the SHOPP Minor A Program. A gradual settlement of the roadway caused cracking in the northbound number two lane and the shoulder. Cracks allowed water to infiltrate into the roadbed, and failure to repair the cracked pavement may increase settlement that could result in roadway failure. This project was awarded to Sierra Nevada Construction, Inc. on April 17, 2014 for $455,007. Construction began July 28, 2014 and widening, striping, erosion control, and installation of a light pole were completed by mid-December.
Shoulder Widening Near Old Downieville Highway
The pavement shoulder was widened on SR 49 from Old Downieville Highway to Newtown Road and was funded with local Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds and the SHOPP Minor A Program. Environmental studies indicated that wetlands are present on both sides of the roadway, therefore a Mitigated Negative Declaration was required and prepared. Final environmental clearance was achieved on August 1, 2013. Project design work was then completed. As part of the environmental clearance commitments, Caltrans was required to obtain the following permits: 404 Army Corp of Engineer (ACE) Wetland & Water of USA permit, 401 Regional Water Quality Control Board, and 1602 Department of Fish and Wildlife Service Streambed Alternation permit. Bids opened on April 30, 2014 and the project was awarded to the lowest bidder, Knife River Construction, on June 3, 2014 in the amount of $623,565. Construction began September 1, 2014 and was completed on October 17, 2014. Environmental mitigation required by ACE continued past completion of construction.
This project upgraded two intersections on State Route (SR) 49 at Carriage Road and Ladybird Drive by adding right-turn lanes and widening shoulders. It was funded by the State Highway Operations and Protection Program (SHOPP) Minor A Program. These improvements are identified as part of the SR 49 Corridor System Management Plan and involved stakeholders from local agencies and local citizens. The project was awarded to the lowest bidder, Hansen Brothers Enterprises, on October 8, 2013 in the amount of $764,335. Construction began the week of April 21, 2014 and is 100% complete. Roadway excavation and embankment work are complete. The contractor installed the new roadway structural section and striping was completed. Existing culverts were lined. Trees were planted and are being watered for proper establishment. The project was completed on September 22, 2014. The final construction cost was $946,600.
Operational Improvements at Holcomb Drive and Cherry Creek Road
This project upgraded the intersection at Cherry Creek Road on SR 49 by adding a right-turn lane and widening the shoulder. It was funded by the SHOPP Minor A Program. The project was advertised on March 24, 2014 and was awarded on June 20, 2014 to Herback General Engineering of Minden, Nevada in the amount of $429,304. Construction began on August 18, 2014 and was estimated to take 40 working days with completion near the end of October 2014.
Reconstruct Embankment and Roadway at Alta Sierra Drive
Located south of Grass Valley at Alta Sierra Drive, the project repaired the roadway on SR 49 in Nevada County beginning at post mile 9.1/9.2. It was funded by the SHOPP Minor A Program. A gradual settlement of the roadway caused cracking in the northbound number two lane and the shoulder. Cracks allowed water to infiltrate into the roadbed, and failure to repair the cracked pavement may increase settlement that could result in roadway failure. This project was awarded to Sierra Nevada Construction, Inc. on April 17, 2014 for $455,007. Construction began July 28, 2014 and widening, striping, erosion control, and installation of a light pole were completed by mid-December.
Shoulder Widening Near Old Downieville Highway
The pavement shoulder was widened on SR 49 from Old Downieville Highway to Newtown Road and was funded with local Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds and the SHOPP Minor A Program. Environmental studies indicated that wetlands are present on both sides of the roadway, therefore a Mitigated Negative Declaration was required and prepared. Final environmental clearance was achieved on August 1, 2013. Project design work was then completed. As part of the environmental clearance commitments, Caltrans was required to obtain the following permits: 404 Army Corp of Engineer (ACE) Wetland & Water of USA permit, 401 Regional Water Quality Control Board, and 1602 Department of Fish and Wildlife Service Streambed Alternation permit. Bids opened on April 30, 2014 and the project was awarded to the lowest bidder, Knife River Construction, on June 3, 2014 in the amount of $623,565. Construction began September 1, 2014 and was completed on October 17, 2014. Environmental mitigation required by ACE continued past completion of construction.