Help shape the details of South Lake Tahoe Highway 50 project

The Loop Road project in South Lake Tahoe has undergone changes, from being a federally funded project to realign Highway 50 to evolving into a community development project that promises to beautify, provide new gateways and gathering places. Without this plan being a federal project allows local control and development.

The revamped US Highway 50/South Shore Community Revitalization Project will be presented to the community during an open house on Tuesday, December 1 at the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Community members, business owners and visitors are all invited to visit the displays of the four proposed alternatives for the "Main Street" look of the project. Each will be outlined with architectural renderings. The open house offers self-guided exploration of the elements of the project that include community, environmental and economic goals/benefits. Individual questions and input with opinions on the project are welcomed.

Years of planning and public outreach have brought the project to this current proposal. Highway 50 would be realigned with four lanes along Lake Parkway East behind Harrah’s, MontBleu and the Village Shopping Center while converting the artery through the South Lake Tahoe business and Stateline casino corridors into two lanes with turn pockets, with thoroughfares reconnecting at Pioneer Trail in California.

Based on input from property owners and the public, the new community development project includes plans for multi-use areas for potential affordable, work force and senior housing, commercial space and open spaces consistent with the “Complete Streets” concepts put forth in California and nationally.

A reclassification from federal highway to local street status would provide for a safer local “Main Street.” Elements of the project include expanded pedestrian and gathering areas, solutions to address transportation congestion and traffic conflicts in the state line area, opportunities to address housing needs, and environmental improvements to enhance Lake Tahoe’s health and clarity.

A previous study indicated that 70 percent of the pollutants impacting Lake Tahoe's clarity come from transportation systems and developed area run-off.

After the open house, the next steps in the overall process include the Environment Impact Study draft to be released in the first quarter of 2016 with public comment accepted 60 days following release, with the document finalized in the second quarter of 2016. Various agencies including the: Advisory Planning Commission, Tahoe Transportation District, City of South Lake Tahoe, Douglas County, Federal Highway Administration, and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency will review and vote on the environmental document in summer/fall.