Community meeting on the 2018 Sierra Boulevard Complete Streets Project

The second of two community meetings concerning the 2018 Sierra Boulevard Complete Streets Project will be held on Thursday, November 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center and Swim Complex at 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd.

In August, the design consultant NCE and City of South Lake Tahoe spoke with the community about the redesigning of Sierra Boulevard that will introduce a Class 1 mixed use recreational trail, sidewalk, driveway connections, curbs, gutters, drainage system, stormwater infiltration, and stormwater treatment. Class 2 bike lanes are proposed on each side of the fully reconstructed roadway. Lighting, utilizing the City’s standard downward shining street light, is proposed along the length of the mixed use recreational trail. The mixed use path will provide valuable connections with other regional trail systems. On-street parking spaces are being considered at various sections along the length of Sierra Blvd. Work is expected to get underway on the .6 mile stretch of road in the summer of 2018.

At the first meeting, what was presented was called a 30 percent plan, and NCE took the comments from the public and created the next phase, the 60 percent plan, which is what will be presented on November 2. Many members of Sierra Community Church as well as neighbors expressed concern at that first meeting. They are worried about enough parking for the congregation as well as those who live on Sierra Blvd.

The City's Public Works Department is interested in hearing citizens’ comments and concerns regarding the 60 percent design stage plans. Improvements are meant to enable safe, convenient, and comfortable mobility for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.

Funding for this project is coming from an Active Transportation Program Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds grant in the amount of $2.9 million.