Public meetings this week to discuss ONE TAHOE transportation funding goals

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – To adequately fund the Regional Transportation Plan in the Lake Tahoe Basin for the next 23 years, it is estimated an extra $1.53 billion will be needed.

There has been input from the public both during forums, meetings and online to identify potential solutions to address the financial shortfall to realize the long-awaited transportation system envisioned in community plans. The goals of the plan include getting people out of their cars and into other modes of transportation when in Lake Tahoe.

Input so far has generated 27 ideas related to possible funding mechanisms. Of the 27 ideas, five have made it through the first two tiers of a three-tier screening process: cordon pricing – basin entry fee, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fee, tolling, zoned transportation user fee, and vacancy tax.

The Tahoe Transportation District (TTD), in collaboration with the ONE TAHOE project delivery team are giving the public another two opportunities to weigh in this week on a long-awaited transportation system envisioned in community plans. There will be one North Shore and one South Shore meeting/workshop to discuss and solicit feedback on proposed funding ideas:

North Shore: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 – 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Fairway Community Center, Lakeview Room
330 Fairway Dr., Tahoe City, CA

South Shore: Thursday, September 26, 2019 – 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Board Room
128 Market St., Stateline, NV

Since its launch in January 2019, the ONE TAHOE process commenced stakeholder outreach and public meetings to solicit input on potential funding solutions. Comments regarding the potential funding solutions can be submitted online at www.ONETAHOE.org.

“TTD has undertaken this work to find a solution to the transportation funding shortfall because choices like transit, walking, and biking are necessary to preserve Lake Tahoe’s natural beauty,” said Carl Hasty, district manager of the Tahoe Transportation District. “Approximately $67 million is needed annually to fund a sustainable transportation system to protect Lake Tahoe’s environment and economic health.”

Expanding the transportation system is critical to preserving Lake Tahoe’s clear blue water because more than 70 percent of the particulates impacting the lake’s clarity come from the current transportation system and built environment. An estimated 50 million vehicle trips in, out, and around the Lake Tahoe Basin annually place considerable demand on the transportation infrastructure, and this demand impacts the funding levels required to support the region’s growing needs.

The funding ideas have been carefully considered and weighed utilizing screening criteria developed by a group of transportation professionals and local agencies working to develop recommendations on how to best fill the transportation funding gap. A final recommendation is expected to be made to elected officials and leaders by the end of this year.

Monitor www.ONETAHOE.org for project updates and notices regarding additional public meetings. For more information about TTD, www.TahoeTransportation.org. Follow TTD on Twitter @TahoeTrans and Facebook.