Traffic

A foot of snow blankets South Lake Tahoe; Heavenly opens and road controls in place

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is one word to describe Wednesday: SNOW! Winter made its appearance in the Lake Tahoe basin Tuesday and will continue this week as one storm exits and another stops by.

Lake Tahoe Community College is closed for the day. The college will reopen at its normal time after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend on Monday, Dec. 2. The City of South Lake Tahoe offices are open.

Chain controls go up as storm hits Lake Tahoe

5:00 p.m. Update: Expect a snowy night and slow-moving over roads in the Sierra. Chains controls on US50 are now up starting in Cedar Grove, west of Pollock Pines, at Pioneer on SR88, and above Gold Run on I80.

At this hour, traffic is at a standstill on I80 after multiple spinouts and crashes all the way to the California-Nevada state line.

CHP is also reporting some issues on US50 west of Echo Summit with two spots were cars are off the roadway, as well as SR88 near Christmas Valley.

Lake Tahoe and Sierra area roadwork 11/25 - 12/1/19

Most traffic-interfering work will be restricted from 6 a.m. Wednesday, November 27 until 10 p.m. Monday, December 2 due to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected this fall or spring 2020.

No planned weekend traffic relief in Meyers this winter

MEYERS, Calif. - Residents attending the El Dorado County Town Hall meeting in Meyers on Thursday didn't hear what they wanted to about the upcoming winter and any plans that could be put in place to alleviate traffic jams in neighborhoods.

As is the case with all meetings concerning traffic in Meyers, there were several audience members with ideas from instituting maximum vehicles allowed in the Lake Tahoe Basin to turn restrictions and road closures during specific hours.

Vail guests and other Tahoe partners help close funding gap to build Lily Lake Multi-Use Trail

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Thanks to a triple match from Vail Resorts’ EpicPromise guest donation program at Northstar, Heavenly and Kirkwood, completion of the Lily Lake Trail will be a reality in 2020. Earlier this year, the planned 2.1-mile multi-use trail designed to provide new access to Fallen Leaf Lake and Desolation Wilderness faced a $75,000 funding gap.

Sacramento man arrested in connection with South Lake Tahoe mailbox thefts

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A Sacramento man has been arrested as a suspect in a series of mailbox thefts in the South Lake Tahoe area.

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) was alerted about missing mail from mailboxes in the Black Bart Avenue area. Reports were created and a vehicle and suspect description were obtained from video in the area. EDSO alerted neighboring agencies.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork 11/17 - 11/23/19

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans will continue roadwork projects in El Dorado County and Lake Tahoe as weather permits. All grading has been completed until Spring 2020.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected this fall or spring 2020.

El Dorado County Supervisor Novasel to hold Town Hall transportation meeting

Event Date: 
November 21, 2019 - 6:00pm

District V Supervisor Sue Novasel will be holding a Town Hall meeting to update residents on the outcome of the recent traffic congestion circulation pilot projects that took place over the Memorial Day and Fourth of July holiday weekends.

Information will be shared on both the outcome and future of the pilot projects.

The meeting will be held on November 21 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the California Conservation Corps auditorium located at 1949 Apache Avenue in Meyers.

Novasel will be joined by El Dorado County Department of Transportation staff.

Expect delays on SR28 as new “Welcome to Nevada” monument is installed

Single lane closures will be in place on State Route 28 in Crystal Bay on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe on Thursday, Nov. 14 as the Nevada Department of Transportation installs a new “Welcome to Nevada” monument.

Single lane closures will take place between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. near the intersection of SR28 and Stateline Road in Crystal Bay. Drivers should anticipate moderate travel delays as traffic flaggers and pilot cars alternate both directions of traffic through the work zone.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to November 7 - November 12, 2019.

11/7

ARRESTS:
38-year-old male arrested for carrying a concealed dagger and possession of a controlled substance.
30-year-old female arrested on a local warrant for misdemeanor domestic violence.
60-year-old male arrested for violation of probation, trespassing, and trespassing while destroying standing timber.

TRAFFIC STOPS (10)

OTHER CALLS FOR SERVICE (29):
Battery: 2500-block Knox Ave.

Sunday crash closes all lanes of US50 near Cave Rock at Lake Tahoe

7:00 p.m. update - Nevada Highway Patrol reports that all lanes of US50 have now been reopened. No other details of the crash have been released.

* * *
7:00 pm. update - Some drivers have informed South Tahoe Now that they have been able to start moving, though very slow and with one-way controlled traffic. Officially road is still listed as closed.

* * *
LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - All lanes of US50 at Tall Pines Road in Glenbrook are closed at this hour due to a head-on collision.

Careflight is en route according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.

Mt. Rose lane closures as NDOT works on highway improvements

Single lane closures will take place on a section of the Mt. Rose Highway summit (State Route 431) Nov. 12-15 as part of continuing Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) roadway improvements.

Between 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Nov. 12 through Nov. 15, single lane closures with traffic flaggers alternating directions of travel will be in place on Mt. Rose Highway just below the Mt. Rose ski area. Motorists should anticipate minor travel delays.

Roadway signage is being enhanced to further focus driver attention on navigating the mountainous roadway turns.

Lake Tahoe and Sierra area roadwork 11/10 - 11/16/19

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As weather allows, Caltrans will continue work as they wrap up their projects. NOTE: Most lane closures are restricted on Monday, November 11 due to the Veterans Day holiday.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected this fall or spring 2020.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to October 30 - November 6, 2019.

10/30

ARRESTS:
41-year-old male arrested for trespassing.
38-year-old male arrested for driving on a suspended license, and on 2 warrants for driving on a suspended license and DUI.

TRAFFIC STOPS (14)

OTHER CALLS FOR SERVICE (28):
Alarm: 2200-block South Ave.
Alarm: 300-block Beach Ln.
Assist Outside Agency: 1300-block Johnson Blvd.
Assist Outside Agency: 3600-block Saddle Rd.

Caltrans and partners officially open first of two roundabouts in Meyers

Caltrans addressed what they reported to be an increase of accidents at the intersection of US50 and SR89 with a $7.3 million roundabout in Meyers, and today there was a ribbon-cutting with local partners to officially open it up.

What used to be a T-intersection with one stop sign is now a three-leg roundabout with a bypass lane. Years of studies, planning, environmental reviews, and engineering led to this past summer's build by Q&D Construction.

Lake Tahoe, Sierra and El Dorado County roadwork 11/3 - 11/9

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As road construction season in the Sierra winds down, Caltrans crews are wrapping up work for 2019 on several major projects.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected this fall or spring 2020.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason returns to Lake Tahoe with Feelin' Alright Tour

STATELINE, Nev. - For over 50 years, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Dave Mason has been entertaining crowds, from his days as a founding member of Traffic, to his current days touring the world with his band.

The 73-year-old British rocker had to cancel his September 2019 performance in Lake Tahoe but he is now back on the road, bringing his "Feelin' Alight" tour to MontBleu on Saturday, November 2.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to October 17 - 29, 2019.

10/17

ARRESTS (5):
25-year-old male arrested for public intoxication, shoplifting, and violation of probation.
34-year-old male arrested on warrants out of Placer County: 1 violation of probation, and 2 failure to appear bench warrants.
26-year-old male arrested for violation of probation and trespassing.

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.

South Lake Tahoe to create an ordinance for electric scooters

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - First it was Lime Bikes, but now the company's Lime Scooters have created both enjoyment and concern in South Lake Tahoe. The popular mode of transportation is used by millions worldwide and provides over 100,000 annual rides in South Lake Tahoe.

But the illegal use by minors and a flaw in the Lime app process has drawn concern from local law enforcement and residents.

Single lane closures on Kingsbury Grade Tuesday-Wednesday

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) will be working on the Lake Tahoe side of Kingsbury Grade on October 29 and 30. Expect single-lane closures as crews fill roadway cracking.

Small sections of Kingsbury Grade will be reduced to one lane from approximately 7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday from Meadow Drive to Tramway Drive. Motorists are advised to give extra travel time and to anticipate moderate travel delays as traffic flaggers and pilot cars alternate directions of travel. The road work schedule is subject to change.

All back open after overturned truck closes parts of road in South Lake Tahoe

4:00 p.m. UPDATE: Most likley it will be the rate of speed a truck driver was traveling at that caused a semi-truck carrying woodchips to overturn in South Lake Tahoe Monday morning.

The 51-year-old woman from Placerville who was at the wheel was traveling from the south on Emerald Bay Road/US50 when she attempted a right-hand turn onto Lake Tahoe Blvd./US50. The truck tipped over and the cab and woodchips slide over into the westbound lanes of Lake Tahoe Blvd.

Downed power line on US50 in Kyburz closes lanes in both directions

9:00 p.m. update: Both lanes pf US50 have been cleared and are open to through traffic.

5:20 p.m. update: Westbound traffic is being allowed to move. Shortly, one-way controlled traffic will begin.

* * *
Traffic is backed up on US50 near Kyburz after a downed power line fell onto the roadway October 27. According to Caltrans, both eastbound and westbound traffic is stopped.

The incident started at 2:55 p.m. Sunday and as of 4:15 p.m., there is no estimated time of clearing.

Use SR 89 to SR 88 or I80 to head west from Lake Tahoe at this time.

Lake Tahoe and Sierra area roadwork 10/27 - 11/1/19

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is wrapping up their 2019 road projects in the Sierra and on the California side of Lake Tahoe.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Opinion: Sierra Boulevard is at an end; Looking forward to the next beginning

It's been one heck of a summer in terms of driving around town. Between Echo Summit and the Meyers roundabout, the horrible accident at Elks Club, US50 through town and then the construction at Stateline that caused delays back to Zephyr Cove in mid-September. Luckily, the Stateline issue was quickly remedied, the highway at Elks Club seems mostly repaired, and the Meyers roundabout turned out great.

PG&E possibly cutting power to 206K customers due to winds and fire danger

Due to severe wind concerns, PG&E has notified 209,000 customers in 15 counties they may have to proactively turn off power for safety reasons in Northern California beginning late Wednesday evening. The PG&E website has been down, but when working updated information can be found here - http://pge.com/pspsupdates.

The list of affected communities:

AMADOR (13,131 customers)
Amador City, Fiddletown, Jackson, Martell, Pine Grove, Pioneer, Plymouth, River Pines, Sutter Creek, Volcano

BUTTE (23,452 customers)

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to October 7 -16, 2019.

10/7

ARRESTS (2)
72-year-old male cited and released for possession of an altered shopping cart.
32-year-old male cited and released for driving on a suspended license.

TRAFFIC STOPS (14)

OTHER CALLS FOR SERVICE (31):
Alarm: 1100-block Emerald Bay Rd.
Assist Outside Agency: 2600-block Lake Tahoe Blvd.
Assist Outside Agency: Lake Tahoe Blvd/River Dr
Assist Outside Agency: 700-block Tuolumne Dr.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Last Week's Report:

10/11

2:40 p.m. Anonymous Sexual Assault - Tahoe Paradise

Lake Tahoe and Sierra area roadwork October 20 - 26

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is conducting work on Lake Tahoe and Sierra highways. The following are their current projects for the week of October 13-19, 2019.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected this fall or spring 2020.

Finishing touches on Sierra Boulevard include striping and landscaping

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It's been a long summer of road construction in South Lake Tahoe and it is coming to an end, leaving behind a new Sierra Boulevard and Highway 50 and synchronized lighting on the highway.

Both Caltrans and the City of South Lake Tahoe applied for an extension to the October 15 seasonal grading end and they have through the end of October to finish up their projects.

Paving operations are nearly complete on Sierra Blvd. The contractor, Herback General Engineering, will be performing some corrective paving work through the week.

City looks at South Lake Tahoe Police Take-Home Vehicle Program

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Chief Brian Uhler presented the idea of a take-home vehicle policy for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) to the City Council Tuesday, something that many other departments across the world have found to be successful in both recruiting and retention. Not only for these reasons, but take-home vehicles have also resulted in cleaner cars with fewer mechanical problems, longer life-spans and reduced costs.

South Lake Tahoe Highway 50 roadwork update

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Roadwork on a three-year $57 million project along Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe is coming to an end. Until November 1, crews will be working on some curb and gutter portions of the road along with some sidewalk repair. They will also be working on electrical components, landscaping, erosion control and painting of lines.

Sierra and Lake Tahoe area roadwork October 13 - 19

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is conducting work on Lake Tahoe and Sierra highways. The following are their current projects for the week of October 13-19, 2019.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected this fall or spring 2020.

Pedestrian killed in South Lake Tahoe hit-and-run collision

10/7 update: A 20-year-old college student went to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department at 12:30 a.m. this morning, telling them he believed he was involved in the fatal hit-and-run. Marlon Cruz, a member of the Lake Tahoe Community College men's soccer team, was arrested after an investigation by SLTPD and interview with Cruz. The vehicle used in the hit-and-run has been located. For more updates and a statement from LTCC, visit http://southtahoenow.com/story/10/07/2019/man-arrested-fatal-hit-and-run-collision-south-lake-tahoe.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork October 6 - 12

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is conducting work on Lake Tahoe and Sierra highways. The following are their current projects for the week of Octber 6-11, 2019.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

NDOT changing exit signs on I580 in Carson City

Beginning Oct. 6, exit numbers on the Interstate 580 Carson City Freeway will change as part of a Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) project to resurface and enhance the interstate.

The current exit numbers range from 38 to 42, and through the coming week will be replaced with new, lower exit numbers corresponding with roadway mileage as follows:

Fairview Drive - Exit 3
U.S. 50/Willian Street - Exit 5
College Parkway - Exit 6
Arrowhead Drive - Exit 7

City Council approves first cannabis development agreement for South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During Tuesday's City Council meeting a development agreement with Redefining Organics, LLC was approved, making way for the first cannabis microbusiness since Tahoe Wellness was allowed to move operations from medical-use to adult-use cannabis.

Lake Tahoe and Sierra area roadwork 9/29 - 10/5

The following is a list of road projects underway by Caltrans around the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding highways of the Sierra.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

New highway closure plan for Stateline; Round-the-clock work begins Sept. 30

STATELINE, Nev. - At 6:00 a.m. on Monday, September 30, NV Energy will resume work on Highway 50 in Stateline on the South Shore with new measures in place for traffic flow. A previous attempt resulted in traffic backed up to Zephyr Cove.

The work is to replace equipment in two underground electric vaults. The new traffic plan will be in effect 6:00 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30 through approximately 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4:

• One lane of traffic will be open in each direction on Highway 50 through the casino corridor.

Grinding and paving project Thursday at Highway 50 bridge

MEYERS, Calif. — Grinding and paving work for emergency repairs to a section of U.S. Highway 50 just east of Meyers is scheduled for all day on Thursday.

The deck and asphalt approach on each end of the Sawmill Bridge over the Upper Truckee River need to be resurfaced and the guardrail on the 134.5-foot structure has to be replaced after crash between a tanker truck and Prius led to an explosion and fire on September 7.

Power out in small part of South Lake Tahoe

There is a power outage in the Cold Creek Trail area this morning, affecting 143 customers.

The traffic light at Pioneer Trail and Cold Creek Trail is out, and the outage goes uphill from there. The cause is a blown lightning arrester.

Liberty Utilities crews estimate another 30 minutes to get the power restored.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to September 5 - 19 , 2019.

9/6 - 9/8

ARRESTS:
71-year-old female arrested for trespassing and shoplifting.
21-year-old male arrested for DUI.

TRAFFIC STOPS (44)

OTHER CALLS FOR SERVICE (148):
Abandoned Vehicle: 1200-block Lester St.
Abandoned Vehicle: 2300-block Helen Ave.
Abandoned Vehicle: Spruce Ave/Glenwood Way
Abandoned Vehicle: Gilmore Lake/Spruce Ave.
Alarm: 3300-block Woodland Rd.
Alarm: 700-block Stanford Ave.

NV Energy puts Stateline project on temporary hold until plan revised

A three-week project to improve reliability of an underground electrical vault on US50 at Stateline is on a temporary hold after the first day of the project September 18 resulted in a massive traffic jam from the casino corridor to Zephyr Cove.

Overnight closure of US 395 for cattle guard replacement

CARSON CITY, Nev. – Single lane closures will take place on U.S. 395 south of Gardnerville the evenings of Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 as the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) replaces a cattle guard across the highway.

Lanes close as NV Energy replaces underground vaults at Stateline

STATELINE, Nev. - NV Energy will start work on Highway 50 at Stateline on Wednesday morning to replace equipment in two underground electric vaults.

The work, including excavation and repaving, is estimated to be completed by October 11. The schedule is subject to change based on weather.

During this time, NV Energy will work closely with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) regarding road closures.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork September 15 - 21

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Redefining Organics gets go ahead for cannabis business from Planning Commission

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The first cannabis business to be created after the passage of an ordinance approved by the South Lake Tahoe City Council passed a big hurdle Thursday. The South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission voted 5-0 to approved the cannabis use permit application for Redefining Organics, LLC and recommended to the City Council they approve the required development agreement.

They also recommended to Council they have both a first and second reading of the development agreement at their October 1 City Council Meeting.

Full closure of US50 over Echo Summit delayed until 2020

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The full closure of US Highway 50 over Echo Summit planned for October 18 has been postponed until next year.

The seven precast bridge girders needed for the Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct (bridge) Replacement Project will not be ready in time for an October closure. Instead, contractor Q&D Construction will winterize the job site and come back to finish the project next year.

This is a two-year project that the contractor was attempting to accelerate. It is still on track to be finished next year.

Lake Tahoe and Sierra roadwork for September 8-14

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Scheduled roadwork around the Lake Tahoe Basin is still in full swing before the winter hiatus.

For those wondering about the old Caltrans traffic camera at the Y: it is being replaced and when received there will be a lane closure coordinated for installation.

The camera at the new roundabout in Meyers can be rotated to analyze traffic needs and will not be aimed just at the roundabout for the time being.

The following are the Caltrans projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin and El Dorado County

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Grinding and paving project in South Lake Tahoe to cause delays

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A Caltrans grinding and paving project got underway Monday in South Lake Tahoe, causing traffic delays with travel reduced to one lane in each direction at the "Y" intersection.

Work got underway at 5:00 a.m. Monday at US50 and SR89. The roadway will be ground down and replaced with new asphalt.

For the duration of the paving work, the contractor is permitted to have around the clock lane reductions, weather permitting. The intersection operation is expected to be completed within a week.

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