Money secured for Hwy 89 improvement projects at Meeks Bay and Tahoe City

There will soon be a new Fanny Bridge in Tahoe City now that the Tahoe Transportation District has secured all of the $33 million needed to complete the State Route 89/Fanny Bridge Community Revitalization Project and Meeks Bay Trail Project.

The Tahoe City plan at the intersection of state Routes 89 and 28 at the northwest corner of Lake Tahoe, will include the replacement of Fanny Bridge as well as a new two-lane bridge (www.fannybridge.com). The projects are part of the district’s approach to implementing more comprehensive corridor solutions for the Tahoe Basin.

The project in Tahoe City will realign roadways from state Route 89 to West Lake Blvd., minimize traffic backups, replace the existing 87-year-old bridge, improve pedestrian and cyclist use, and support tourism and economic development at Tahoe City. The “Wye” (intersection of state Route 89 and state Route 28), the main artery for Tahoe City, provides access to residences, the national forest, state parks and private businesses. The project at Meeks Bay will extend the off highway bike trail from Sugar Pine Point State Park to Meeks Bay Resort improving connectivity with Tahoe City.

The California Transportation Commission provided the residual amount for $33 million in project construction. Funds for the SR 89/Fanny Bridge Project include $25 million from the Federal Lands Access Program (awarded in 2013), $4.9 million from the California Transportation Commission from the Active Transportation Program, and $3 million from Placer County. FLAP funding is designed to fund well-conceived projects that improve transportation facilities affiliated with Federal lands, while supporting state and local efforts related to public roads, transit systems and other transportation facilities, with an emphasis on high-use recreation sites and economic generators.

The environmental documents for the SR 89 / Fanny Bridge Community Revitalization Project were certified in April 2015 with the preferred alternative selected. A new two-lane bridge, similar in size to the existing Fanny Bridge, will be built east of the existing Caltrans yard, along state Route 89 heading into Tahoe City. The bridge is part of the state Route realignment that will span the Truckee River, extending from the Caltrans yard to West Lake Blvd. just north of Granlibakken Rd. The addition of the bridge will provide for two emergency evacuation points for west shore residents.

“The project represents a critical contribution to the future of the region, by promoting safety, economic vitality, complete street and environmental improvements, while maintaining the distinctive character of Tahoe City,” said Carl Hasty, district manager of the Tahoe Transportation District. “We want to protect the natural resources that makes this area so special. In fact, we know from a previous study that 70 percent of the pollutants impacting Lake Tahoe's clarity come from transportation system and developed area run-off. Long term benefits of this project include reducing pollution from vehicles idling in traffic and upgraded storm water treatment.”

The existing section of SR 89 between Fanny Bridge and the eastern roundabout on West Lake Blvd north of Granlibakken Rd will be relinquished by the state to Placer County and redesigned as a “complete street,” which integrates the needs of people and place, making the street network better and safer for drivers, transit users, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The design features new roadside landscaping, limited on-street parking, sidewalks, street lighting, and may entail components like pedestrian signals, speed bumps, benches and signage. When newly configured as a locally controlled street, the community gains the advantage of allowing for temporary closure to become an accessible venue for events such as farmers markets and art festivals.

Tahoe City residents, business and property owners have been involved through the entire design process and will continue to offer input on aesthetic features, landscaping and other project elements.

Work is scheduled to start in summer 2016. Completion of the entire projects is expected in 2018.

“Tahoe Transportation District’s leadership is redefining how to approach and execute projects in a timely manner,” said Carlos Monje Jr., assistant secretary for transportation policy at U.S. Department of Transportation. “We are looking forward to growing our partnerships with the Basin, and to more projects in Nevada and California.”

Project participants include Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Federal Highway Administration - Central Federal Lands Highway Division, Caltrans, Placer County, Tahoe City Public Utility District, Lahontan, Regional Water Quality Control Board, United States Forest Service/Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California State Parks, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and Tahoe-Truckee Sanitation Agency.

TTD’s comprehensive public outreach will continue through the duration of the project with notifications in local media, website updates, social media and public meetings.

For additional information, visit www.FannyBridge.org or email suggestions@fannybridge.org.