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Residents urge Caltrans not to raise SR‑50 speeds through Kybur/Kyers; board asks state to reconsider
Summary
Residents and business owners gave the board detailed testimony opposing a Caltrans‑proposed increase to speed zones on State Route 50 through Kybur/Kyers, citing accidents, school proximity and limited enforcement; Caltrans said the state makes the final decision and explained "advisory" curve speeds versus enforceable posted limits.
Residents and business owners urged El Dorado County supervisors April 21 to ask Caltrans to reconsider a proposed change to speed zones on State Route 50 through the Kyber/Kyers corridor.
Caltrans representative Mary Boa told the board the agency is collecting public input on an update it proposes for SR‑50 between the Kyber maintenance station and 0.2 miles east of Milestone 33. Boa explained that advisory yellow curve signs state recommended safe speeds, while the white posted speed limits are enforceable through California Highway Patrol action.
"The signs on the yellow signs are not enforceable. They're just recommendations," Boa said, emphasizing that the posted, enforceable limits are a separate legal determination.
Speakers representing Kyber/Kyers and neighboring communities described a community with many blind curves, multiple intersections, homes and an elementary school. Allison Stanton, a Silver Fork resident and school trustee, said crash data and local conditions make a higher posted speed dangerous. "I would like to strongly oppose this speed limit increase," Stanton said, and cited recent local fatalities and multiple collisions in the corridor.
Other speakers described a lack of local enforcement, frequent weather and narrow shoulders. Arash Pazad, a Kyber property and business owner, said a petition with more than 150 signatures opposed increasing the posted limit and urged better enforcement and more speed signs rather than a higher limit.
Board discussion acknowledged the evidence and constraints: supervisors noted the State of California has authority over posted limits on state highways, but said the testimony warranted a clear county position. "If we leave it at 45, we're not going to be able to enforce the law," one supervisor said, while others countered that higher posted limits tend to accelerate drivers and could increase severity of crashes.
Outcome: The board received public comment and several supervisors said they would individually communicate concerns to Caltrans and encouraged Caltrans to reconsider the proposal; no county vote can override state authority on SR‑50 speed zone decisions.
What to watch: Caltrans will consider public comments and proceed with its state regulatory process for speed zone changes. Residents asked the county to consolidate a formal request from supervisors to the agency before the state's decision deadline.
