PLACERVILLE, Calif. — Drivers traveling through Diamond Springs will encounter significant traffic changes beginning Thursday, July 16, as El Dorado County temporarily closes portions of Bradley Drive and Throwita Way to advance construction of the long-awaited Diamond Springs Parkway Project.
According to the El Dorado County Department of Transportation, the temporary detour is expected to remain in place for approximately two months while crews reconstruct and realign Bradley Drive to accommodate the new parkway.
Motorists should expect changes in traffic patterns throughout the construction zone and plan extra travel time, particularly during peak commuting hours.
What Drivers Need to Know
During the closure:
- Portions of Bradley Drive and Throwita Way will be closed beginning July 16.
- Access to the Material Recovery Facility will be maintained through the newly constructed route connecting Highway 49 and Throwita Way.
- Truck Street will only be accessible from Highway 49 while the detour remains in effect.
- Temporary detour signs will be installed in both directions along Highway 49 approaching Bradley Drive to guide motorists through the new traffic pattern.
County officials anticipate the detour will remain necessary until reconstruction of the realigned Bradley Drive segment is completed.
Part of a Larger Transportation Improvement
The temporary closure represents another milestone in the Diamond Springs Parkway Project, one of the county’s largest transportation infrastructure investments in recent years.
The project is designed to improve traffic flow through Diamond Springs by creating a new parkway alignment that diverts through traffic away from the historic downtown corridor. Once completed, the project is expected to reduce congestion, improve emergency response access, enhance safety for motorists and pedestrians, and support future transportation needs in western El Dorado County.
Residents who regularly travel between Placerville, Diamond Springs, El Dorado and surrounding communities are encouraged to become familiar with the temporary routing before the closure takes effect.
County Statement
In its July 10 news release, the El Dorado County Department of Transportation stated:
“This detour will remain in place for approximately two months until the realigned segment of Bradley Drive is reconstructed to accommodate the new Diamond Springs Parkway.”
Community Impact
The detour primarily affects residents, commercial traffic, waste collection vehicles, and businesses that rely on Bradley Drive, Throwita Way and Truck Street for daily access. While temporary inconvenience is expected, county officials say the traffic changes are necessary to safely complete a critical phase of construction on the parkway.
Drivers are reminded to slow down in construction zones, obey posted detour signage and remain alert for construction workers and changing traffic conditions.
Residents with questions about the project may contact the El Dorado County Department of Transportation Engineering Division at (530) 621-5900 and select Option 3.
Additional project information is available through the El Dorado County Department of Transportation. Diamond Springs Parkway Project
The temporary detour information was announced in a July 10, 2026, news release issued by the El Dorado County Department of Transportation
