Details of two more major Caltrans projects unveiled during public meeting

Two hot topics for locals were discussed during a Caltrans informational meeting at the Lake Tahoe Airport on Thursday evening: A roundabout and viaduct replacement.

The 3-legged Roundabout

Citing the safety of the intersection of Highway 50 and 89 in Meyers as the catalyst, project managers, engineers and planners unveiled their plans for a three-legged roundabout at the intersection to the dozens of interested citizens who attended.

Many of those at the meeting live in the Meyers area, and expressed their concern for a roundabout in an area that already sees over 9,000 cars a day pass through on a busy summer day.

Caltrans has been working with both the El Dorado County Department of Transportation and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency in evaluating plans for a safer intersection. They looked at a stop light and stop sign, but decided a roundabout would be the best option for the area.

Caltrans have held a couple of public meetings on the subject, and have since changed their original plans to incorporate ideas and address concerns citizens had at that time.

The meetings resulted in what is known as the "legacy tree" on the corner of the intersection a beacon to those that live in the area but was originally slated for elimination. They also adjusted lane size for snowplows and created better bike and pedestrian lanes. Originally planned was a two-lane roundabout, and after the meetings they made in a through lane on the outside, and a single lane in the roundabout.

While most expressed concern that a roundabout would just tie up traffic more on heavily traveled weekends and not allow local traffic flow, some said they thought a roundabout is exactly what is needed.

"This is a new concept for us here," said Bryan Pond. "Back East its been great in tourist and snow seasons."

Several asked for further study to see what better options are available, and if the five year data they are using from 2007-12 is still relevant.

Lake Valley Fire Battalion Chief Brad Zlendick expressed his concern that their fire engines couldn't navigate through a roundabout if it where blocked with traffic heading west on Echo Summit. "It would add a level of confusion to the driver if we had to head up their travel lane to get to an emergency," he said.

Local Kenny Curtzwiler asked Caltrans study the plans for another 5-7 years to get the best plan possible for the intersection.

"The roundabout solves the problem, and it is data driven," responded Deputy Director of Program/Project Management Tom Brannon.

Brannon explained that they cannot ignore the need for a safer intersection, and now that its been identified they are required to address the issue.

A unique feature on the roundabout will be the ability to add an inner-circle art feature or welcome sign. Caltrans said all ideas will be welcome as long as they go through the required Caltrans Encroachment Process.

"We've already heard from some interested parties," said Steve Nelson of Caltrans.

Comment cards were accepted at the meeting so they can go into public record, and others will be accepted until November 5. Comments can be sent to maggie.ritter@dot.ca.gov.

The draft can be seen here.

Construction on the roundabout is slated to start in May of 2019. Project planners don't expect any major traffic delays with the intersection and will take place during the same building season as the viaduct project on Echo Summit.

Echo Summit Viaduct Replacement Project

The the other hot topic discussed Thursday is the replacement of the viaduct at Echo Summit. In 1939, three spans of bridges were created on Highway 50 over the summer to create a safer roadway for those traveling to South Lake Tahoe. While there have been some maintenance projects on the spans over the years, the supports are starting to deteriorate because of age, weather and use. There are now rusty pillars and cracking cement.

While nobody at the meeting questioned the need for new bridges, or viaducts, they did question which alternative would be best for South Lake Tahoe locals who depend on tourism income from those traveling over the summit.

Alternative 1 replaces the three spans with one, and will use pre-cast cement and gives a 26 foot wide bridge. It is the fastest project and will take two building seasons. Season 1 is 40-65 days of one-way traffic. Season 2 is another 40-65 days of one-way traffic with 10 days of full closure at a cost of $6.5 million.

Alternative 2 also uses pre-cast cement to create a 34 foot wide bridge and a new retaining wall. Season 1 is 90-100 days of one-way traffic. Season 2 in 90-100 days of one-way traffic and ten days of full closure at a cost of $8.1 million.

Alternative 3 would be cast in place and give a 30.75 foot wide bridge. Season 1 would be 70-90 days of one-way traffic as well as a 30-day full closure. Season 2 is 70-90 days of one-way traffic with another 30-day full closure. The cost is $8.2 million.

Alternative 4 is to do nothing.

Caltrans would divert traffic headed to Tahoe through state routes, Highway 49 or 16 over to Highway 88, then 89 as the preferred route. Those familiar with local short cuts are aware of both Johnson Pass Road and Mormon Emigrant Trail, but since neither road is a state route, Caltrans cannot use those as an alternate route with major financial investment in their improvement prior to the viaduct replacement dates. They did say they'd issue local passes for use over Johnson Pass Road as they did when the summit was closed during the retaining wall project.

November 5 was to be the date for all comments to be received, but Steve Teshara, Interim Director of the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce though a little longer would be best for locals and businesses. Comments will now be taken until November 19.

With an estimated $3 - $5 million brought to the South Shore on a busy summer day, 10 or 30 days of closure would have a significant impact. (That figure is derived from 8,907 cars per day with an average of 3 passengers who spend an average $189 per day).

Duane Wallace of the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce asked Caltrans Viaduct Project Manager Clark Peri if the community could expect help in marketing the alternative routes much as they did during the last major project.

There is a lot of public outreach planned, though exactly what is not known. Caltrans currently has a section on their website, www.tahoeroads.com/Open_4_Business where local businesses can advertise for free. This is ongoing and will be available 2019-20 when the viaduct project is slatted.

The project will get its own website as well as paid advertising in print, traditional radio, satellite radio and online, and social media messages with closure date and project status updates.

Two South Lake Tahoe City Council candidates, JoAnn Conner and Tamara Wallace, were there to express their concerns about the perceived impact to the community. El Dorado County Supervisors Sue Novasel was out of town but sent her assistant, Judi McCallum to represent her.

Curtzwiler said he read the 96-page document about the project, and though a "litle dry," he said it is full of a lot of information, including a couple of paragraphs on perceived economic impact.

The full report can be found HERE.

Both the viaduct and roundabout projects come on the heels of the 2017-20 $56,700,000 Highway 50 project in South Lake Tahoe from the Y to Trout Creek.