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For years, residents of Lake County and surrounding areas have lived with the daily frustration of a road system that feels more like a chokehold than a lifeline. Highway 20, affectionately (or sarcastically) referred to as “Tiny 20,” is a prime example. This two-lane highway, which runs through our community and is a critical link between major townships more than 50 miles away, is the epitome of an infrastructure failing to meet its demands.
At a glance, “Tiny 20” might seem adequate. After all, it’s a road that gets you from point A to point B. But for anyone who has driven it in recent years, it’s painfully clear that this highway is more than just an inconvenience; it’s a public safety hazard and a roadblock to economic growth.
A Dangerous Stretch of Asphalt With just two lanes to handle the ever-increasing traffic from local residents, commercial trucks, and tourists, “Tiny 20” quickly becomes a bottleneck. Overtaking slow-moving vehicles is a risky gamble, with limited opportunities to pass and frequent head-on collisions. The margin for error is slim, and the road’s narrow shoulders offer little in the way of safety if something goes wrong.
The lack of capacity on this highway exacerbates accident rates, with emergency services often stretched thin across vast distances. Instead of facilitating safe and efficient travel, “Tiny 20” traps drivers in dangerous situations, with long stretches where even the smallest mishap can lead to tragic consequences.
A Commercial Roadblock For local businesses and industries that rely on efficient transportation, Highway 20 is nothing short of a nightmare. As a primary artery for commerce, the two-lane road forces freight trucks and delivery vehicles to crawl at a snail’s pace, delayed by traffic snarls and the inability to move freely.
This isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a serious economic issue. Lake County has long been poised to benefit from industries like agriculture, tourism, and even sustainable shrimp farming. But how can businesses grow when shipping delays are the norm? Every hour spent stuck on “Tiny 20” is an hour lost in productivity, and for time-sensitive shipments, this can be disastrous.
A four-lane highway could drastically change the game. Expanding Highway 20 to accommodate the growing needs of the region would ensure smoother transport, safer travel, and a stronger economy. It would open the door for more efficient shipping, attract investment, and give our local economy the infrastructure boost it so desperately needs.
A Long Overdue Upgrade The population of Lake County is growing, and so is the demand on our roadways. It’s no longer acceptable to rely on a two-lane highway that belongs in the past. For the safety of our residents and the vitality of our local businesses, Highway 20 must be expanded to four lanes.
The state and federal government have an obligation to invest in our infrastructure before the problems worsen. We need a highway system that reflects the needs of the 21st century, not a relic of a bygone era. Until “Tiny 20” is expanded and upgraded, it will continue to be a roadblock—both literally and figuratively—for Lake County’s future.
It’s time to push for change. “Tiny 20” has overstayed its welcome, and the clock is ticking.
-Paul T. of MendoTech
I was under the impression that highway 29 was becoming a 4 lane corridor through Lake county. Highway 20 has many more geographic choke points especially between clear lake oaks and Nice. I can see highway 29 being the main trucking corridor given all the new expansion and higher speed limits. Trucks always seem to end up in the lake around the choke points between Clear lake oaks and Nice.
exactly, 29 is the recommended truck route. Expanding 20 around the lake would be dicey given the hundreds of homes that exist close to the highway
Don’t worry. Beckstoffer wants to truck his grapes out to the 101. The other routes are too curvy for a Tractor hauling doiubles. He greases the right palms, he’ll get his road.
Hammer, who’s Beckstoffer? I worked for E&J Gallo for awhile, and I KNOOOW of the political power that THEY have in the central valley.
Andy Beckstoffer and his son Tuck have planted hundreds of acres in the Red Hills and the area South of Mt. Konocti. They have grapes in many counties. They’re power players in Nor Cal politics, hence the widening of 29 through their vineyards.
They’re probably one of the largest employers of Black Market Labor in California as well.
That’s going to be a metric s___ton of grease.
—> HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS <—– to double the width from 2 to 4 lanes for any signficant distance.
I have been traveling that road from Sacramento to ft bragg for over forty years and you couldn’t be more right it’s time to add more lanes there is always construction going on but nothing ever changes but the traffic it’s getting really heavy especially during the week.
I frequently drive 20, the main problem I see is self entitled idiots, low performance drivers in high performance cars.
A few more passing lanes would be great, but to make it into a four lane road would only encourage poor drivers to take larger risks.
Many places along Clear Lake will not support 4 lanes without creating and/or increasing already serious landslide hazards and risks.
Many, many parcels would need acquired through eminent domain by the state.
This would drastically change the character of most towns along the 20, especially those right on the lake.
I doubt this could happen without local revolts.
Maybe we could petition for more pullouts and clearer signage about using turnouts.?.
How about we start with how to actually get the many “out to lunch” and RV drivers to actually use the existing turnouts?
Most semi drivers use them consistently.
When folks use the turnouts, my drive from Uk to Williams is often 30mins-1 hour shorter.
Be courteous. Share the road.
If you are one of the slower drivers, just use the damn turnouts.
We all paid for those expensive turnouts with the express intent of relieving congestion caused by slower moving vehicles.
No one needs you to go faster, especially if you don’t have the skill or constitution for maintaining speed limits on such a road.
BUT, we do NEED you to get the f*** out of the way.
I vote for more CHP so the idiot that tailgates and wants to go 20mph over the limit is penalized!
Gonna get Far Worse if Trump gets in and minorities lose their welfare checks and get on the roads to work. Right now they are white highways.
Aww, poor baby. Do you cry yourself to sleep every night in fear?
How are you going to make a 4 lane highway in Blue Lakes? That’s going to be a nightmare for so many reasons. The issue with that road, as another person commented, isn’t the roads but the idiots on them.
20 will never be 4 lanes! There’s no space for 4 lanes and Caltrans isn’t planning on any lane additions to it.