Historic Highway 49 By-pass

Opened February 28, 2007 the historic Highway 49 bypass opened and forever changed the small towns of Amador City and Sutter Creek. The Highway 49 bypass is 3.9 miles of new road spanning from North of Amador City to just South of Sutter Creek. The new stretch of Highway 49 is now considered a truck route. It allows heavy traffic passing through our small towns a more direct route.

Since the new road opened residents and visitors have discovered the positive impact the bypass has made to Amador City and Sutter Creek. The bypass has cut down on the loud and often dangerous traffic that congests our small towns. It also allows residents and visitors to enjoy the slow-paced, quiet, historic feel of our small town. Visitors to local Bed & Breakfast Inns have commented on the peaceful evenings and restful sleep now that the truck traffic has all but disappeared. Parking is simpler due to the slower paced traffic through town. Visitors are able to slow down and see what a beautiful place it is to stop and visit. The streets are quieter, allowing friends and neighbors to stop and visit with one another.

Another change you might notice is the route to Amador City. When traveling south on Highway 49 from the Sacramento or Placerville areas, visitors need to be prepared for a new left hand turn that will take them onto the original road into Amador City. Miss the turn and you will soon be traveling the new stretch of road and end up in Martel, just south of Sutter Creek. If you are traveling north on Highway 49 from Jackson or Highway 88 you now turn right at a new stop light. Again, this will take you on the original road through Sutter Creek to Amador City. It will soon seem natural to turn off Highway 49 and take 'historic' Highway 49 to the two peaceful little goldrush towns that make the Motherlode such a wonderful place to visit

Amador City Merchants hope you will take the time to visit Amador City now that the bypass has opened. See what an improvement it has made and enjoy the great shopping, dinning and lodging you will find in Amador City.