Sierra Boulevard Complete Streets project closer to summer 2018 construction

The updated Sierra Boulevard Complete Streets Project was presented to the community Thursday night, with changes incorporated after input from the public at their first meeting August 17, 2017.

Funded by grants, the .6 mile stretch of Sierra Boulevard starting at Highway 50 will have Class 1 and Class 2 bike lanes, parallel parking spots, reduced lane size, lighted sidewalks, underground utilities, landscaping, crosswalks and water quality improvements.

The street will be built to withstand the heavy equipment that travels the road during winter as plows and trucks access the Caltrans snow storage yard at the south end of Sierra Boulevard.

What was released Thursday, November 2 is called the "60 percent plan." The design now shows great details of the storm drains and water quality components as well as detailed parking changes.

During the August meeting several members of Sierra Community Church and residents from the neighborhood spoke of their concerns that the plan didn't allow needed parking for their large congregation.

Project Managers Stan Hill, an engineer with the City of South Lake Tahoe, said they took public comment and provided additional parking near the church.

"We've been working closely with church to find solutions," said Hill.

Sierra Community Church Pastor Dan Wilvers said he was very happy with the work the City has done on the project.

"We couldn’t be more pleased with them in addressing our concerns," said Wilvers. "They have been very thoughtful and we've sincerely appreciated all the work they’ve done. Council members Tom Davis, Brooke Laine, City staff Stan Hill and Ray Jarvis have gone above and beyond. We feel very blessed."

Not only did the plans add another nine parking spots, but Hill has been working with TRPA and other partners to help the church further in their parking issues. Hill said there are parking lots not used on Sunday mornings and maybe a shuttle can be used during those peak times.

"Still lots of room to make adjustments," Hill said of the 60 percent plan.

He and NCE, a consulting engineering, planning and environmental firm with offices in Reno and Stateline, will take comment from Thursday's meeting and see what adjustments need to be done.

Hill met with Caltrans, El Dorado County Department of Transportation, TRPA during the day Thursday to provide other observations of the Sierra Boulevard project.

Funding comes from federal highway grants, so Caltrans must be involved int he process. The new road will tie into what Caltrans will be doing at the intersection of Highway 50 and Sierra Boulevard in summer of 2018 where a new light, crosswalk and two turn lanes will be added.

Hill expects the next set of plans, the 90 percent plans and environmental documents, to be presented to the City of South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission in January or February, 2018. The public is always invited to those meetings but there will be no further project specific meetings planned for the community.

Once approved by the commission, Caltrans issues an "Authorization to Proceed With Construction" perhaps in March or April, 2018. Once approved, the City can advertise for a contractor through a bid process.

"We'll be on the fast tract to award the contract in June and construction will start soon after," said Hill.