Update on the BIjou Area Erosion Control Project

Crews have been working on an underground stormwater system in the Bijou area of South Lake Tahoe. The work is causing both Fairway Drive and Bal Bijou Road to have detours during the week but open and no controls on weekends.

Work is wrapping up with the installation of a box culvert for Bijou Creek and work is now focused on new curbing and inlets. The Bal Bijou storm drain system will be connected at US 50 next week, with curb installation to follow.

The contractor is on track to have base lift paving placed at the end of August on both streets before finalizing the stormwater treatment system in easement areas adjacent to the Bijou CVS and Heidi’s after Labor Day.

The Project is made possible by competitive grants and funding agreements with the State Water Resources Control Board, Caltrans, the US Forest Service, the California Tahoe Conservancy, South Tahoe Public Utility District, and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

When completed later this fall, the updated infrastructure will convey Bijou Creek to Lake Tahoe while separately treating stormwater runoff from 42 acres within the Bijou Commercial Core area, preventing 21,000 pounds of fine sediment particles from reaching Lake Tahoe each year.

We appreciate the public’s caution and patience when traveling near Fairway and US 50 during the construction of this valuable community improvement.