tahoe roads

Safety grant awarded to South Lake Tahoe Police Department

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) has been awarded a $86,126 grant to combat recognized traffic issues in the city limits including DUI, pedestrian, and motorcycle enforcement.

The safety of everyone traveling is the focus of the grant with efforts to reduce deaths and injuries on South Lake Tahoe roads and to improve traffic analysis, reporting, and data collection.

The one-year grant is for the 2021 federal fiscal year, which runs from Oct. 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2021.

To help with safety on Lake Tahoe roads, new stoplight to be installed at Zephyr Cove in 2021

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - In a move to increase safety along the highway in Zephyr Cove, the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) will be installing a new traffic signal at the intersection of US50 and Warrior Way next summer.

Almost 20,000 drivers travel that section of US50 on a daily basis. By controlling all directions of travel, the signal will help provide designated and safer access to and from the highway at the busy intersection.

One-percent sales tax increase for South Lake Tahoe to be added to the November ballot

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council approved unanimously at their meeting Tuesday to send what is being called the "South Lake Tahoe Fire Protection, Emergency Response, City Services Measure" to the ballot in November.

If voters approve the measure, a one-percent sales tax increase will be added in the City of South Lake Tahoe to all taxable purchases to meet funding shortfalls, according to the City.

Day-long traffic jam over Echo Summit as vehicles leave Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Sunday has been one big traffic jam for travelers trying to head west over Echo Summit. And as it the normal case, when traffic backs up the mapping apps direct drivers to side residential roads, many of which were unplowed and hard to navigate.

As of 7:30 p.m., traffic is still very heavy in Meyers and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is currently working on two accidents, one west of Sierra-at-Tahoe Road and the other east of Strawberry.

Work schedule at Meyers roundabout moves to overnight hours

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is in the middle of three major projects on the South Shore, with one of them changing their scheduled construction hours.

The $7.1M roundabout construction project at the intersection of US50 and SR89 in Meyers is moving from daytime work hours to a night shift from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. starting Tuesday, August 6. Flaggers will also be conduction one-way reversing traffic control as they finish up the roundabout. The completion is expected later this month or in early September and the nighttime work schedule will remain until the project is done.

Caltrans: Plan ahead for your 4th of July and Celebrity Golf trips to Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The next two weeks will be some of the busiest days for South Lake Tahoe due to two of the area's highly attended summer occasions. The best way to enjoy travel both for locals and visitors is to plan ahead and know what to expect.

Starting with the 4th of July holiday, expect heavier than normal traffic on roads to, from and around Lake Tahoe Wednesday-Sunday. Caltrans work on their area projects will be suspended during that duration with roadwork resuming Monday, July 8.

Snow and traffic continue to cause problems on Lake Tahoe roads

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif.- For the third straight weekend snow has been measured in feet instead of inches around Lake Tahoe, causing issues for both residents and travelers in the Sierra.

When open, there has been a constant flow of both westbound and eastbound vehicles over I80 and US50. Reports of 10-15 hour trips from the Bay Area have been common.

Current road conditions:

US50
Chains Required, All Vehicles Except 4-Wheel Drive with Snow Tires - on US-50 from mile post 52.1 in El Dorado County to mile post 70.6 in El Dorado County in California.

SR89 to close for one day around Emerald Bay

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is alerting the public that State Highway 89 will be closed at Emerald Bay on Wednesday, November 14 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

This closure will allow for a crane to work in the area placing downed trees on the slope for erosion control. Dead or dying trees will be cut down from the area around the project site on Tuesday, November 13 and stacked onsite for placement on the hillside the next day.

Motorists from the north seeking to access the west or south shores of Lake Tahoe will need to detour via Highways 28 and 50 during the full closure.

Motorists beware: New traffic light in South Lake Tahoe goes live Tuesday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The new traffic signals at the intersection of Lodi Avenue and Highway 50 (Lake Tahoe Blvd.) will be activated on Tuesday, October 23. Caltrans is wrapping up year two of a $56 million water-quality and roadway improvement project from the Y to the Trout Creek Bridge, and the new light will allow motorists to utilize synchronized traffic lights the complete distance upon completion.

The new light is replacing stop signs on both sides of Lodi Avenue and what was uncontrolled access on Highway 50.

Camp Richardson light to remain "off line" indefinitely

CAMP RICHARDSON, SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After meeting with partner agencies, Caltrans has decided to discontinue the use of the pedestrian hybrid beacon crossing device on State Route 89 in Camp Richardson indefinitely.

In an effort to make for safe pedestrian passage across the highway and to manage traffic through the State Highway 89 corridor, Caltrans installed the beacons in 2016 but they were often confusing to drivers with its yellow and red light system.

Roadwork to resume on retaining wall project at Emerald Bay

Repair work to build a new retaining wall along a section of State Highway 89 in Emerald Bay is set to resume next week.

The retaining wall is being built near the Eagle Point Campground and work should be completed by the end of May. The northbound lane of the highway is closed and reversing one-way traffic is being controlled by automated signals.

A new concrete barrier near Eagle Falls was completed as part of the $4.4 million project last fall.

A look at the roads around Lake Tahoe for Saturday

Road controls are still up on Lake Tahoe roads as the two day storm that dropped 45" of snow at Heavenly moves to the east. There is a chance of scattered snow showers in South Lake Tahoe with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 31. Winds will be from the southwest 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Total daytime snow accumulation of around an inch possible. Tonight, isolated snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Sunny and 36 on Sunday!

Plans to ease North Lake Tahoe traffic during ski season

The snow is falling, and the ski season is about to hit high gear heading toward the big Presidents Day weekend. Will Tahoe roads be ready to handle the traffic?

Probably not. The surge of traffic on Friday nights and Saturday mornings is intense, notably on Highway 89, the only route to Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows ski areas. Highway 89 was a parking lot at times last year, as were some Truckee streets.

Tax increase to fix South Lake Tahoe roads to be determined Tuesday

South Lake Tahoe voters will be deciding the future of roads in the City when they determine the fate of Measure C on Tuesday, November 7, 2017.

Voters will decide if a one-half cent sales tax will be added in the town to provide approximately $2.5 million that will fix potholes and pave, repair, maintain local roads.

The following polling locations are established for the November 7, 2017 election:

Lake Tahoe Christian Fellowship, 3580 Blackwood

South Shore Christian Assembly 886 Glorene Avenue

South Tahoe Now: Why Measure C is needed now

Many of South Lake Tahoe's roads are decades past their prime, and Measure C is in front of voters November 7 to increase taxes by one-half percent to pay for their maintenance and repair.

I support Measure C and let me tell you why, but it will have to start with a look back to see how we got here.

Letters: Tahoe road investment for safety of all

To our South Lake Tahoe community,

Investment in South Lake Tahoe roads is a matter of safety. A proactive plan for financing maintenance of City roads, Measure C is vital to our community.

Lane restrictions extended in South Lake Tahoe Friday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Caltrans work in South Lake Tahoe is normally suspended at 11:00 a.m. on Fridays due to weekend traffic, but weather this week has caused roadwork to go through the day September 22.

Highway 50 will be reduced to one lane in each direction from Dunlap Drive to Winnemucca Avenue on Friday to allow for paving and striping from about 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The work again will be dependent on weather and temperature conditions.

Beacon light at Camp Richardson here to stay, for now

The pedestrian hybrid beacon installed at the Camp Richardson crosswalk will remain active this weekend and until further notice.

Lane restrictions and work hours to increase on Hwy 50 in South Lake Tahoe

Work on the $56 million Highway 50 project in South Lake Tahoe is suspended for the Labor Day weekend, but once the holiday traffic leaves drivers can expect longer delays when lane restrictions are increased.

Starting Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 12:01 a.m., contractor Security Paving Inc. may reduce the highway to one open lane iSn each direction around the clock until 11 a.m. on Fridays.

Beginning Sept. 10, work will be around the clock from midnight Sunday to 11 a.m. Friday each week, with weekends free of construction. Motorists can expect delays of up to 30 minutes.

Navigating South Lake Tahoe during road construction

As construction continues on Highway 50 from Winnemucca Avenue to the Y in South Lake Tahoe, drivers need to be aware of some recommended alternative routes since left-hand turns from the road are not available.

A lack of left-hand turns has drivers confused as to where to go. Some people are still making left-hand turns where prohibited, thus jamming up traffic and making navigation dangerous.

New traffic restrictions for South Lake road project

Traffic restrictions are changing for Caltrans’ two water-quality improvement projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin after Memorial Day to better accommodate peak season traffic while continuing construction.

Work on both the $57 million South Lake Tahoe “Y” to Trout Creek Bridge project on U.S. Highway 50 and the $70 million State Highway 89 West Shore project won't resume until Tuesday night.

Road work pauses for the Memorial Day holiday

Roadwork stops in South Lake Tahoe at 6:00 a.m. Friday, so drivers have an easy go of it until 6:00 a.m. Wednesday as crews break for the Memorial Day holiday. Those working on the City of South Lake Tahoe roads go by the same rules as Caltrans, so both will stop for this period.

Starting Wednesday, Caltrans continues on the three-year Highway 50 project from the Y to Trout Creek. This year's work is from the Y to Tahoe Keys Boulevard. Another project is the completion of the bike trail from El Dorado Beach to Ski Run Blvd.

Tahoe Roads launches new brand and improved website

Those who have used TahoeRoads.com for their roadwork and conditions information in the past will now find an all new, updated look.

California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has now included information on roads around the lake, including information from the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT).

The goals of the website are to:

- Educate the public on the benefits of the construction happening around the lake
- Keep the public and partners updated on project details and roadwork schedules

South Lake Tahoe roads to soon receive much needed attention

People driving through South Lake Tahoe have mostly likely cringed as their car finds a pothole on a local street. That, or dodged them all by driving in a zig-zag pattern that appears to be that of a drunk driver.

After a winter with extreme rainfall, constant snow removal and high groundwater, there is most likely no street that has been spared an outbreak of potholes.

After Tuesday's City Council meeting, help is on the way!

El Dorado County looks at Traction Control Ordinance for Lake Tahoe roads

El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel and her fellow supervisors have taken the first steps to create a Traction Control Ordinance for Lake Tahoe. During their meeting on March 21, approval was given for the concept of an ordinance that, once created, will be back before the Supervisors in April for final adoption.

In coordination with the Community Development Agency, Transportation Division (DOT) and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office (EDSO), Novasel presented the item for vote to create safer roads during heavy snowstorms in the Lake Tahoe area.

Creating transportation infrastructure key to getting locals, commuter and visitors out of cars

Lake Tahoe must improve its internal transportation systems before they can expect visitors to the region to get out of their cars and use different, and better, ways of getting around. That was the message during last week's Tahoe Talks presentation by Lake Tahoe transportation partners, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) and El Dorado County.

Highway 50 near Kyburz reopens after mud flows over roadway

Caltrans closed part of Highway 50 near Kyburz Wednesday afternoon to allow them time to clean up a river of mud that was flowing over the roadway.

Travelers between Placerville and South Lake Tahoe had up to an hour delay as crews cleaned out overflowing culverts to get the water moving in a direction that wouldn't hamper drivers.

With more heavy rains on the way, and ground that is already saturated, residents and drivers can expect more of the same through Friday.

I-80 to close in both directions two hours tonight to repair mudslide damage

Caltrans is alerting motorists that Interstate 80 (I-80) will be closed in both directions from 11 p.m. Tuesday, January 31 to 1 a.m. Wednesday, February 1 at the following locations to allow the repair of power transmission lines damaged during the January 8 mudslide just west of the Donner Lake Interchange.

Westbound I-80 will be closed at Donner Park Road (Exit 184). Automobiles will be detoured onto Donner Pass Road and can rejoin I-80 at the Donner Lake Interchange. Trucks will be turned at Exit 184 and are encouraged to find parking in the Reno area during the closure.

City crews working nonstop to clear South Lake Tahoe roads

The roads around Lake Tahoe have been hard to navigate this week after several feet of snow fell in the basin after the last series of storms over the weekend. Many streets in South Lake Tahoe remain narrow and thick with snow, making it hard to drive through neighborhoods.

Just as residents struggle with all that snow left on their roofs, driveways and walkways, City snowplows are also struggling with what seemed at times as nonstop snow.

Highway 50 back open over Echo Summit; Cars stuck on side roads

Echo Summit was closed this morning so crews could work on avalanche control, creating a backup not only on Highway 50 in Meyers, but on side roads leading to the summit. Heavy snow stranded several motorists on North Upper Truckee near Mt. Rainer. Lake Tahoe Blvd was closed at Sawmill Pond while the highway was closed to prevent more drivers from driving towards North Upper Truckee.

Crews working round-the-clock to clear South Lake Tahoe roads

It has taken 14 crew members working 12-hour shifts for the last eight days to keep the 259 miles of roads in the City of South Lake Tahoe cleared after 5.13 inches of rain and about four feet of snow hit the south shore.

A single plow of each street has been completed in the City limits, and crews will start working on widening the streets and plowing bike paths Saturday morning.

I80 closed in both directions; Portions of SR88 and SR89 also closed

With temperatures above freezing all day around the Lake Tahoe basin, the much anticipated snow turned to rain, creating a slushy mess on all roads in and around Lake Tahoe.

Upper elevation snow has also created havoc on the roadways, with I80, SR437, SR89 around Emerald Bay and a portion of SR88 all closed at this hour.

Citing concerns for driver safety, I80 is closed from Colfax to the Nevada State line as of 8:20 p.m. Wednesday. Mt. Rose Hwy/SR 431 is also closed from Galena over the summit.

Chains or 4WD with snow tires are required on Highway 50 from Fred's Place to Meyers.

Important safety tips when navigating South Lake Tahoe roads during wet storm

The City of South Lake Tahoe’s Snow Removal crews have been working around the clock to clear snow on city roadways. The combination of the snow and rain mixture is casing roadways to flood. It is imperative to provide snow removal vehicles the right of way as they work to clear roadways as well as blocked drainage ways.

Follow these safety tips:
Do not drive through water that is too deep. “Turn around – don’t drown”

Do not try and cross the snow berm in the center lane. Wait until snow removal crews have cleared the center lane for crossing.

Chain controls up on many roads; Highway 50 over Spooner now open

10:10 a.m. update 1/4/17 - Highway 50 over Spooner Summer is now open, but with chain or snow tire requirements from Stateline to SR28.

Update on current conditions:

US 50 from Meyers to Twin Bridges - Chains or 4WD with snow tires on all 4 wheels.
SR 89 from Christmas Valley to Hope Valley - Chains or 4WD with snow tires on all 4 wheels over the summit. At 9:32 a.m. a tree fell down onto the roadway and they are clearing it now.
SR 89 through Emerald Bay is closed at this time.

Motorist behavior along Highway 50 in the Sierra a concern to Caltrans and CHP

The snow hasn't been the only concern on Highway 50 over Echo Summit and along the road to Strawberry. The behavior of motorists who park illegally on the road is becoming more of a safety issue and hazard.

For those that have driven this stretch, the situation isn't anything new though there has been a big increase in offenders.

Drivers are pulling over on the roadway, a state highway, to experience snow play, and those parking are not paying attention to "No Parking" signs or the dangerous situation they are causing.

Road controls around Lake Tahoe roads: 3-5" of snow at Heavenly for opening day

A fast moving storm dropped up to a couple of inches of snow at lake level overnight, leaving behind chain controls over the passes, a wind advisory and a chance for a little more snow during the day Wednesday.

Heavenly Mountain Resort opens today with a reported 3-5" of new snow.

Road controls at 8:00 a.m.:

HWY 50/Echo Summit - Chains Required, All Vehicles Except 4-Wheel Drive with Snow Tires) on US-50 from mile post 59.8 in El Dorado County to mile post 70.6 in El Dorado County in California. (Twin Bridges to Meyers)

Caltrans holds second public meeting on their Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct project

A 77-year old portion of Highway 50 over Echo Summit is planned for replacement starting in 2019 due to cracking, spalling and rusting. The project will affect both South Lake Tahoe and Placerville, and those in-between so Caltrans is holding meetings to keep the public informed.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork October 23 - 29

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to just north of Granlibakken Road in Tahoe City that is upgrading storm water drainage and treatment systems, adding curb and gutter, resurfacing and realigning the road, adding new left-turn pockets and widening shoulders on an 8-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected in summer 2017.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork October 16 - October 22

EMERGENCY CLOSURE

State Route 89 (El Dorado County) from Fallen Leaf Lake Road to Vikingsholm Vista Point is closed in both directions indefinitely due to fire damage.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Major Caltrans project begins in South Lake Tahoe next Spring

Event Date: 
October 20, 2016 - 5:30pm

The utility relocation work on Highway 50 through South Lake Tahoe the past two years has made way for a major, three-year long Caltrans project that will get underway next Spring.

The project, which is currently out for bid, will be starting in 2017 and will have crews working along U.S. Highway 50 from the "Y" intersection with State Highway 89 to the Trout Creek Bridge once again.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork October 3 - October 8

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to just north of Granlibakken Road in Tahoe City that is upgrading storm water drainage and treatment systems, adding curb and gutter, resurfacing and realigning the road, adding new left-turn pockets and widening shoulders on an 8-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected by summer 2017.

Highway full closure near Emerald Bay lifted, expect one-way traffic delays

For the past two workweeks, Highway 89 has been closed 24 hours per day so crews could do grinding and paving work in the tight section of highway south of the Cascade Creek Bridge to Bayview Campground and Inspiration Point.

On Monday, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced the closure has been lifted.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork September 25 - October 1, 2016

LONG-TERM PROJECTS
State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to just north of Granlibakken Road in Tahoe City that is upgrading storm water drainage and treatment systems, adding curb and gutter, resurfacing and realigning the road, adding new left-turn pockets and widening shoulders on an 8-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected by summer 2017.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork September 11-17, 2016

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to just north of Granlibakken Road in Tahoe City that is upgrading storm water drainage and treatment systems, adding curb and gutter, resurfacing and realigning the road, adding new left-turn pockets and widening shoulders on an 8-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected by summer 2017.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork August 28 - September 3

Most lane closures will be restricted from 6 a.m. Friday, September 2 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 6 because of the Labor Day holiday weekend.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to just north of Granlibakken Road in Tahoe City that is upgrading storm water drainage and treatment systems, adding curb and gutter, resurfacing and realigning the road, adding new left-turn pockets and widening shoulders on an 8-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected by summer 2017.

Expect delays as Caltrans starts three month project over Echo Summit

Construction and maintenance work will cause day and night time traffic delays along a 45-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 50 between Camino and Echo Summit over the next three months, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced.

Crews will be setting up lane restrictions on the four-lane section of U.S. 50 in the Camino area and one-way traffic control on the two-lane stretch of highway over the summit. Motorists can expect up to 20-minute delays. These lane restrictions will continue through the end of November, weather permitting.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork through August 20

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to just north of Granlibakken Road in Tahoe City that is upgrading storm water drainage and treatment systems, adding curb and gutter, resurfacing and realigning the road, adding new left-turn pockets and widening shoulders on an 8-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected by summer 2017.

Full daytime closure of State Route 89 near Emerald Bay starts Monday

Starting Monday, September 12, State Route 89 will be closed during the daytime hours of 4:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for two weeks. The road will close just north of South Lake Tahoe from Cascade Creek Bridge to Bayview Campground and Inspiration Vista Point.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork schedule July 24 - July 30

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to just north of Granlibakken Road in Tahoe City that is upgrading storm water drainage and treatment systems, adding curb and gutter, resurfacing and realigning the road, adding new left-turn pockets and widening shoulders on an 8-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected by summer 2017.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork schedule July 17 - July 23

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to just north of Granlibakken Road in Tahoe City that is upgrading storm water drainage and treatment systems, adding curb and gutter, resurfacing and realigning the road, adding new left-turn pockets and widening shoulders on an 8-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected by summer 2017.

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