Fanny Bridge replacement in 2022; Work on first phase of two new roundabouts finishes in 2020

NORTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If you've been on SR89 near Tahoe City lately you've noticed the new roundabout that was installed south of the Fanny Bridge near the transit station. A new bridge over the Truckee River was also created during the first stage of the SR89/Fanny Bridge Revitalization Project which included another roundabout on the west end of Tahoe City on SR89.

The last portion of the project, the replacement of Fanny Bridge, another roundabout at their "Wye" and a "complete street" on West Lake Boulevard between Fanny Bridge and the Tahoe City Transit Center. This will include pedestrian, cyclists, motorist, and transit rider safety improvements by incorporating bike lanes, sidewalks, and vehicular slowing solutions, such as median islands, curb extensions, and roundabouts. That is expected to come in 2022.

Crews will be in the area working on more aspects of that initial phase this summer:

- The construction contractor will be working on punch list* items for the CA FLAP SR 89(1) Truckee River Bridge project (SR 89/Fanny Bridge Community Revitalization Project). This work has not started. All items are expected to be completed during the 2020 construction season.

- Additional Tahoe City project construction work, which will be done by a construction contract associated with the CA FLAP SR 89(2) Meeks Bay Trail project, is scheduled for completion in the 2020 construction season. Construction work for 2020 includes the following elements:

......Constructing a new curb, gutter, and sidewalk along SR 89 extending from Fairway Drive to just south of the Tahoe City “wye” intersection.

......Reconstructing the bike path along the east side of SR 89 starting at Fairway Drive and tying into the new bike path built near the new, western roundabout.

......Reconstructing the bike path that runs parallel to the new SR 89 roadway segment.

- Currently, no traffic delays, lane closures, or impacts to vehicular traffic are anticipated for construction work needed to be completed during summer 2020. Most all of the work will take place off the roadway and/or along the shoulders.

- Detours and appropriate signs will be put in place for the sections of the paved shared-use paths for cyclists and pedestrians since several sections will be under construction.

- The community will be notified (via eblasts, Facebook, project webpage) if and/or when construction work this season will impact vehicular traffic and/or bike and pedestrian trails.

Construction of the new roundabout at the Tahoe City “wye” and replacement of Fanny Bridge along with work to be done on SR 89 (West Lake Blvd.) between Fanny Bridge and the new Transit Center entrance is scheduled to start spring 2022, pending the availability of funding. It will take three seasons to complete.

The lead agency on the project, Tahoe Transportation District, had public meetings scheduled but they are currently on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions. They will communicate to the public through Facebook, email blasts and on the project website.

The goals of the project:

- Improving pedestrian and cyclists’ safety
- Reducing traffic congestion to improve transit travel times and user experiences
- Providing two safety routes from the west shore
- Making the “wye” area more inviting for shopping and dining
- Adding complete street enhancements to the portion of old 89/West Lake Blvd. that will become a local road
- Encouraging economic development and revitalizing the community
- Rebuilding 87 year-old Fanny Bridge with sidewalks on both sides
- Improving reliability and connectivity with the new transit center
- Lessening emissions by a reduction in vehicles idling in traffic and sediment run-off from graded storm water treatment

For more information, visit the project's website FannyBridge.org