Caltrans on Saturday reopened Highway 50 four days early after being closed for nine full days for construction at Echo Summit, but some traffic delays still are expected for several weeks.

The $1.9 million project is from the Caltrans Echo Summit maintenance station east 1.2 miles to Johnson Pass Road and replaces a deteriorating 18-inch tall rock wall with a 32-inch tall concrete barrier designed to look like a rock wall. In addition, crews are replacing storm culverts, guard rails and damaged pavement and will put down a 3-inch-thick asphalt overlay on the highway.

Starting Monday, as crews perform finishing work, one-way traffic control will be in effect this week until noon Friday, when both directions will be open for the Memorial Day weekend rush to Lake Tahoe. Then on Tuesday, May 31, Caltrans will reinstitute one-way traffic control during weekdays until noon Friday for the next six weeks or so. On weekends, Highway 50 will be open in both directions.

The one-way traffic controls are expected to delay motorists for up to 20 minutes.

For more information, CLICK HERE for Caltrans information.