Highway 49 Expansion: Balancing Safety & Nature

0:00Coutrans kicked off a major expansion on Highway 49 in Grass Valley back in February, chopping down hundreds of trees from the McKnightway, interchange to Allison Ranch Road. This 125 million dollar project pulls funding from federal, state, and local sources to widen the road into two lanes each way, northbound and southbound. They're clearing 27 acres total to add safety features like sound walls for nearby homes, truck lanes, and turnout pockets to smooth out, traffic flow, locals in Nevada County are heartbroken over the tree loss, calling it a hit to the natural beauty that defines their area, the rivers, the forests, all part of the vibe. Coutrans reps get it, saying the space is crucial for safety upgrades, but promise it'll stay green with plenty of trees left along the highway once. Done. The whole thing wraps up by the end of 2028, blending better roads with that foothill charm, residents love. You've been listening to California News today, AI-powered local news.