Bayne Road work is complete between Coloma and Kelsey

Drivers on Bayne Road between Coloma and Kelsey will have a smoother, safer ride with the recent completion of a chip seal paving project, said a prepared statement from the county’s Chief Administrative Office.

The El Dorado County Department of Transportation project included road widening, drainage culvert improvements, brush trimming and 2.54 miles of new chip seal pavement on a previously unpaved portion of the road. In addition to residential use, Bayne Road is frequently used by river rafters and kayakers because it is the shortest drive between Chili Bar and Coloma. With the completion of the project, Bayne Road is now continuously paved between Mt. Murphy Road to State Route 193.

“The work was professionally done and the DOT employees really went out of their way to accommodate local traffic,” said resident Bob Day. Day praised Acting Deputy Director of Maintenance Don Spear for making “a significant effort to include Bayne Road residents in the planning process which resulted in a well executed and coordinated road improvement project.”

Spear estimates the useful life of the project at 12 to 15 years. “For the long-term viability of the road, it is important for drivers to stay off the shoulders and drive no faster than 20 to 25 miles per hour, or less, depending on road conditions,” said Spear.

The Bayne Road improvement project was partially funded through a $207,000 grant from the El Dorado County Air Quality Management District.

“Vehicle travel on unpaved roads creates significant amounts of dust or particulate pollution. El Dorado County currently exceeds the State standard for particulate pollution,” said Dave Johnston, Air Pollution Control Officer. “The Air Quality Management District is pleased to partner with the Department of Transportation on this project as the transportation improvement also improves air quality.”

Air quality engineers estimated that the Bayne Road paving project will take 274 pounds per year of particulate matter out of the air.

El Dorado County has approximately 58 miles of unpaved roads. The Department of Transportation plans to apply for additional air quality grants to complete additional projects. Additional information about Department of Transportation projects is available at edcgov.us/DOT.

Chris Daley

Chris has written a weekly column for the Democrat for more than 20 years and has Master’s Degrees in Russian History, Psychology and Career Counseling. He has been a staff writer for a number of years and enjoys it because he "learns so much about so many things."

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