$24M heading to Lake Tahoe for expansion of the popular Tahoe East Shore Trail

U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) announced Tuesday that $24,026,333 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is coming to Lake Tahoe to extend the popular Tahoe East Shore Trail. This grant award is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program and will fund vital road safety and trail improvements along State Route 28 on Tahoe’s eastern shore. Cortez Masto and Rosen passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support this program and pushed to secure this critical funding.

“I’ve said throughout my time in the Senate that investing in transportation improvements around the Lake Tahoe Basin is just common sense – it supports our economy, keeps people safe, and protects our beautiful shoreline,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’m proud to secure this funding to expand the popular East Shore Trail which serves thousands of visitors and locals alike. I’ll always fight to address local challenges and deliver for Lake Tahoe’s communities.”

The narrow, two-lane Nevada State Route 28 is the only road around Lake Tahoe’s eastern shore and is critical for everything from emergency vehicles to tourists – on an average summer day over 2,000 people access this area for recreation. The lack of parking and connecting paths has created serious congestion and safety concerns. The new Tahoe East Shore Trail from Incline Village to Sand Harbor has created a popular, safer option for visitors and Nevadans. This RAISE grant will expand the trail and add new pathways, vistas, safety signage, and pedestrian access points. In addition to this investment, Cortez Masto and Rosen have secured grants to support cleaner buses, smarter transportation technology, and evacuation preparations around the lake.

Cortez Masto introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to restore Lake Tahoe, which Rosen supported, and both senators delivered critical funding to protect Lake Tahoe in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Cortez Masto has introduced numerous bills to improve transportation options in the Lake Tahoe Basin, including legislation to fund smart transportation solutions and support the needs of high-traffic corridors.

“Lake Tahoe is a stunning natural landmark in Nevada and an integral part of our economy, which is why I’m committed to delivering federal funding to support sustainable outdoor recreation and local tourism throughout the region,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to have worked across party lines to secure this major funding to expand the Tahoe East Shore Trail and improve access, safety, and environmental sustainability around the Tahoe Basin.”

“We are grateful to the administration and our congressional delegation for supporting regional transportation solutions that protect this national treasure,” Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Executive Director Julie Regan said. “Collaborative investment in the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program from federal, local, state, and private partners are critical to addressing Tahoe’s rural transportation and recreation challenges.”

“We are thrilled to learn that Lake Tahoe has been awarded a RAISE grant for SR 28, especially this week, as we celebrate the 5th anniversary of the grand opening of the East Shore Trail. This grant will allow partners to expand the Trail to Thunderbird Cove, and eventually all the way to Spooner Summit,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “With the support of hundreds of philanthropic donors, the East Shore Trail is a tremendous example of the power of public-private partnerships to improve the Lake Tahoe environment for all to enjoy.”