Caltrans says efforts to reduce traffic congestion through the Fix 50 construction zone can still be increased and some people took the steps to help reduce traffic congestion through the Fix 50 construction zone, but other people could do more.
Dennis Keaton with Caltrans says this stage of the project includes removing old concrete from the freeway, installing dowels and rebar, and pouring new concrete.
Crews expect to pour concrete next Monday and open the left three lanes by May 7th.
Caltrans is asking people to take mass transit, avoid the area, or carpool during construction.
Sacramento Regional Transit says the use of park-and-rides has increased between 55 and 72 percent.
Congestion through the construction zone was noticeably lighter this morning compared to Tuesday's commute.
"We're still on schedule. They're continuing from last night's demolition work. They've gotta pick up all of that heavy concrete. They knocked down the interior rail and wall right there by the shoulder because they intent to extend that out to about ten feet."
Caltrans officials say it took about six minutes for drivers Wednesday morning to get through the Fix 50 construction zone. But, Keaton other routes around town could be used more.
"A lot of the commuters weren't utilizing eastbound I-80. It seemed like that was a pretty even flow through there and easy accessible, but we didn't see anyone really trying to get over to that side. And even driving through some of that traffic both on West Sac and over by I-80, there were a lot single occupant commuters that were stuck in the traffic."
Sacramento Regional Transit says use of park and rides for car pooling has increased by as much as 72 percent.
Work on U.S. 50 is scheduled to continue through the end of June. The next phase of the project calls for on ramps and the right lanes of the freeway eastbound to be closed starting May 7th.
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