Written
for the web by Jason Kobely, Internet
News Producer
Residents of a small El Dorado County town are ratcheting up the pressure
on county officials over repairs to a crucial traffic artery washed out by New
Year's Eve storms.
Mosquito Road, the shortest route between the small town of Mosquito and
Placerville, was washed out by flood waters in the American River Canyon area
December 31. Now, more than 1,800 El Dorado County residents must use a
six-mile detour along Rock Creek Road to make the trip to Placerville, a route
that effectively doubles travel time.
Two weeks after the road was closed, county engineers remain unsure about
exactly when the road might be repaired. Studies looking into the stability of
the ground underneath the road need to be completed before repair work can
begin.
"It's going to be some period of time until the geologists complete their
investigation ongoing right now," county senior civil engineer John
Kahling said.
The uncertainty surrounding the road's reopening has many Mosquito residents
on edge.
"By the summertime, we have to have that open because if there's a fire,
what are we going to do?" resident Iris Saxon said. "All the
emergency vehicles come up Rock Creek."
El Dorado County officials updated Mosquito residents on repair efforts in a
meeting Thursday night at the Mosquito Firehouse.
