New segment of State Route 89 in Tahoe City opens

TAHOE CITY, Calif. - What many have been waiting for is now open to traffic on the North Shore. The long-anticipated new quarter-mile segment of State Route 89 includes a new 153-foot bridge crossing over the Truckee River, a roundabout on the south end next to the Tahoe City Transit Center and another roundabout on the north end near the Caltrans Maintenance Station, allowing a second entry/exit route for Lake Tahoe’s West Shore.

The new Truckee River Bridge and realignment of SR89 are meant to ease congestion in the Tahoe City area.

The improvements are part of a $35 million construction project led by the Federal Highway Administration’s Central Federal Lands Highway Division (CFLHD). Additional project features include drainage improvements, rock retaining walls, bike paths, signing, striping, lighting, new sewer and gas lines, Tahoe City “gateway” signs, and landscaping with pollinator-friendly plants.

“We’re excited to see this second bridge open up to improve safety and traffic flow for local residents and the millions of visitors who come to Lake Tahoe every year,” said Caltrans District 3 Director Amarjeet S. Benipal.

A future project to replace the Truckee River “Fanny” Bridge, enhance pedestrian mobility, improve access to public transit and relinquish a section of Highway 89 to Placer County is planned for 2021, according to Caltrans.

Short-term work at the “Wye” intersection to reestablish pedestrian access and erosion control is scheduled to be completed by the end of this month.

Project partners included CFLHD, Tahoe Transportation District, Placer County, FHWA Resource Center, Jacobs Engineering, United States Forest Service, Tahoe City Public Utility District, Tahoe Truckee Sanitation District, Caltrans and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.