Drivers might experience travel delays at Cave Rock this holiday weekend

Motorists should keep in mind the Cave Rock area construction project as they plan their travel around Lake Tahoe not only over the Memorial Day weekend, but during all holidays and this summer. The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) is reminding motorists to anticipate minor travel delays.

“We encourage everyone to visit and enjoy Lake Tahoe,” NDOT District Engineer Thor Dyson explained. “But, with many visitors traveling to Lake Tahoe for holidays such as Fourth of July, drivers should plan a little extra travel time for road improvements being made in the Cave Rock area.”

On U.S. 50 north of the Stateline casino district, NDOT is extending the westbound, lakeside Cave Rock tunnel entrance to enhance safety and reduce the potential of rock fall onto the roadway. Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction through the eastbound Cave Rock tunnel, with 25-mile-per-hour speed limits. While construction-related travel delays are minimal on average weekdays, travel times through the construction zone can increase during heavily-traveled event and holiday periods. Oversize and overdimensional semi-trucks are not permitted through the tunnel during construction.

The road improvements include construction of an approximately 60-foot long and 27-foot tall tunnel extension to enhance safety by catching rock fall before it reaches the roadway. Lighting and white paint will be added inside each tunnel for better visibility and two new radar-activated overhead signs will be installed to automatically notify drivers of bicyclists or potentially icy conditions in the tunnels. Paving and water quality improvements will also be made. The approximately $6 million project by contractor Q&D Construction will continue through fall of 2016.

Further project information is available at www.nevadadot.com/caverock or by dialing (775) 888-7000.