El Dorado County, CA — A massive boulder is blocking a California highway as emergency crews are working furiously in preparation to blast and then remove the rock.

A major rock slide occurred Thursday evening on U.S. Highway 50 at Echo Summit causing the California Department of Transportation, also known as Caltrans, to immediately close the road in both directions.

U.S. Highway 50 remains CLOSED this morning due to a large boulder in the middle of the highway @ Echo Summit in @CountyElDorado. Crews continue to drill holes in the boulder to place dynamite🧨 so they can blast the rock. This is going to be explosive!💥 @CaltransHQ @CAgovernor pic.twitter.com/RLeCPSgmVy

— Caltrans District 3 (@CaltransDist3) March 4, 2022

Crews worked through the night and into Friday morning to drill holes in the giant boulder so they can blast it with dynamite before removing it in pieces.

Despite the rain, snow & very cold weather,🥶 we are determined to blast💥 this boulder and reopen US-50 @ Echo Summit as soon as possible. Always safety first.👷🏻‍♀️Thanks for your patience. #KnowBeforeYouGo https://t.co/HS687UgNj7 @CHPSouthLake @CHPPlacerville @CaltransHQ @Cal_OES pic.twitter.com/i0YQCmQorz

— Caltrans District 3 (@CaltransDist3) March 4, 2022

Exclusive look of Caltrans performing drilling operations on a massive boulder on US-50 @ Echo Summit. Despite the cold temperatures,🥶rain🌧 & snow❄️, crews have been working around the clock prepping for blasting operations.👷🏼‍♂️👷🏾‍♂️Crews need to blast💥 the boulder to reopen US-50. pic.twitter.com/tN1XOMrpAm

— Caltrans District 3 (@CaltransDist3) March 4, 2022

According to Caltrans, crews were successful in blasting the boulder and clean up is currently underway.

The roadway is expected to reopen Friday afternoon.

Rock blasting successful on US 50 at Echo Summit. Cleanup operation taking place with roadway reopening estimated in late afternoon. pic.twitter.com/UTkXT4bVzm

— Caltrans District 3 (@CaltransDist3) March 4, 2022

Since the closure, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has been turning eastbound traffic around at Sly Park Road and Sierra-at-Tahoe, and detouring westbound travelers at State Route 89 Junction and Meyers.

#ICYMI US-50 CLOSED🚧 in both directions due to rock slide @ Echo Summit in @CountyElDorado. Eastbound US-50 CLOSED @ Sly Park Rd. & westbound US-50 CLOSED @ SR-89 Jct. NO ESTIMATE TIME of when the highway will reopen. Visit https://t.co/HS687UgNj7 for current highway conditions. pic.twitter.com/9RYFwvHUg9

— Caltrans District 3 (@CaltransDist3) March 4, 2022

All travelers were advised to use Interstate 80 as an alternate route.