PCTPA is collaborating with Placer County on the Evacuation and Transportation Resiliency Study (ETRS) to improve the resiliency of the County's transportation network during wildfires, floods, and other natural hazards or events. 

The ETRS will analyze the county’s multimodal transportation system and assess constraints hindering evacuation under a range of extreme events including areas within high fire severity zones, state responsibility areas, and other areas prone to disasters such as extreme heat/poor air quality, heavy precipitation/flooding/landslides, extreme snow events, and extended power outages. This planning effort will improve our understanding of capacity, safety, and viability issues under a range of emergency scenarios. The ultimate goal of the study is to develop a series of recommended infrastructure projects and operational improvements, such as shoulder widening, route hardening, trail connections, traffic signal timing plans, and more.

In Fall 2025, the project team conducted a community engagement campaign in which pop-up events were held in Auburn, Lincoln, Colfax, Tahoe City, Loomis, and Foresthill. This was paired with a survey and interactive map in which Placer County residents were able to voice their evacuation experiences and concerns. A summary of the engagement can be found in the slide deck linked below. The feedback from this engagement directly shaped and influenced the projects/strategies that this study will recommend.

The Draft Report is expected to be released in late 2027 and will include these recommended actions. Stay tuned for the release of the Draft Report and subsequent public comment period!

Examples of Recommended Improvements

Project Timeline

Resources

Project Overview Slide Deck (Presented to PCTPA Board of Directors on October 29, 2026)

August 2026 Board Meeting - Project Update (Presented to PCTPA Board of Directors on August 26, 2026)

For emergency preparedness resources, visit Ready Placer

 

This work is being funded by a Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant with matching funds from Placer County.