SR89 around Emerald Bay reopens

State Route 89 around Emerald Bay from D.L. Bliss State Park to Emerald Bay State Park is now open.

Caltrans crews had been working for weeks to clear debris and snow off the road which links South Lake Tahoe to the North Shore via the west side of the lake. In some spots, the snow was up to 30 feet high. With the early January storms the avalanche danger was high in the area as well.

The road opened on February 1 at 6:35 p.m.

Three overworked blowers went down during the process, causing a delay in reopening the road as the equipment was repaired.

"We thank the traveling public for their patience during the closure," said Steve Nelson of Caltrans.