The Walker Ridge project while it was under way. Photo courtesy of Caltrans.

WALKER RIDGE – A project to increase safety along a stretch of Highway 20 that has been the scene of several crashes over the last few years – some of them fatal – has been completed, Caltrans reported Wednesday,

The Walker Ridge curve improvement safety project in southern Lake County began construction in the fall of 2006, according to Caltrans.

“This project showcases Caltrans’ dedication to use context sensitive solutions, even in rural settings,” said Charlie Fielder, Caltrans District 1 director. “It also shows our commitment to improving highway safety while preserving the environment.”

The area had seen several major crashes in one particular downhill stretch near mile post marker 44.19, across from the old Turkey Run and Abbott mines, as Lake County News has reported.

The project made several improvements to increase safety year-round, officials reported.

Those improvements included improved drainage, widened shoulders, installation of radar speed signs, replacement of a tight 25 mile per hour curve with a gentle 55 mile per hour curve, and repaved 3.5 miles of highway with a top layer of open-graded asphalt for improved winter traction.

Caltrans reported that, of all the improvements, the most eye-catching is a tie-back retaining wall which is 380 feet long and varies in height from five to 50 feet. The wall is anchored, or tied back, to the hillside by steel cables grouted into 201 holes drilled up to 141 feet deep into solid rock.

The wall was aesthetically treated by spraying the surface with concrete, hand sculpting a rock texture, and then staining to match existing rock outcroppings.

During construction, impacts to the environment surrounding nearby Grizzly Creek were avoided or minimized, Caltrans noted. Measures were also taken to reduce impacts to native oak and elderberry, and oak seedlings were planted to replace oak trees which had to be removed.

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Grout????
written by Donna Christopher, November 19, 2009

I've been hating going by that big wall and have wondered what was going to keep it put and the answer is grout Okay, I know we have lots of engineers around here - please tell me it's all good.

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Let's get it straight
written by rasinbran, November 19, 2009

I have commuted on highway 20 five days a week for eight years. The article discusses two separate projects. The issues with MPM 44.19 have most recently been completed. This is the turn that has seen several serious accidents over the past few years, including fatalities. The latest fix included shortening the eastbound passing lane near Walker Ridge Road, rumble strips, large 35 mph arrow signs and grooved pavement. It did not include guardrails where they are needed, road banking improvements, or cutting back the hillside. This section of highway was re-paved four years ago, and new guardrails were placed incorrectly. The problems with this turn have not been corrected, and I predict more serious accidents. While Cal-Trans may wish to show their "dedication to use context sensitive solutions, even in rural settings", this was a band-aid. The improvements in drainage, widening, radar signs and the retaining wall were completed last spring. They begin near MPM 38 (the "S" turns), and continue through about MPM 42.

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I do that drive every day as well...
written by herb, November 19, 2009

After waiting for long periods of time with the flag person for the last few years, I hope the work was worth it. I guess we'll see.

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Thanks for the clarifications
written by chezking, November 19, 2009

I'll agree this was not written to the usual LCN standards. The really sharp turn at what is now "the wall" and the "s" turn 1.2 mile closer to the Lake were the scene of many crossover head-ons and truck rollovers. They are much improved and are not represented by the not-yet-completed construction depicted above. (Interesting what a long lens can do to perspective and slope.)

The Walker Ridge curve in question was past the ridge top and across from the old Mercury mine. It used to feed drivers passing "one last car" Eastbound on a downhill "s" turn that was nasty for the unsuspecting, causing a recent flurry of serious wrecks. One of which occurred in front of a KFD Ambulance and STILL resulted in a fatality. Last I heard the temporary improvements were helping and the real fix's contract has been signed.

Take your time folks, or you might use it all.

PS. DC-If the grout is stronger than the surrounding rock, it's all you need, though Caltrans soils guys have been wrong before - see 101 along the Russian River.

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Projects
written by elarson, November 19, 2009

My understanding is that this overall project encompasses several components. In August, Caltrans reported they were adding in the repaving near mile post marker 44.19 to improve traction, and that is mentioned in the statements above from Caltrans. Then it includes the large retaining wall farther down the highway. They've not made clear what other improvements they're making.

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