LAKE TAHOE, Nev. – The Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) is advancing the next phase of coordinated East Shore Trail Parking improvements with construction set to begin in May 2026 on the SR 28 North Parking Project (Phase 2 of the Tunnel Creek Parking Project), near Incline Village, Nev. The project is part of the East Shore Trail expansion, and a broader regional effort to improve safety, enhance recreational access, and better manage parking along the SR 28 corridor.
The project is being delivered in partnership with the Tahoe Fund, Nevada Department of Transportation, Washoe County, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Nevada Division of State Lands, Nevada Division of State Parks, and other regional partners.
The project will provide 38 paid parking spaces immediately north of the existing 90-space paid parking area at the East Shore Trailhead located on SR 28 in Incline Village. In addition, the project includes a public transit shelter on SR 28 just north of Lakeshore Drive for southbound transit passengers. Finally, the project includes environmental restoration of an eroded shoulder area on the west side of SR 28 known as Rocky Point to protect Lake Tahoe’s clarity.
“This is another important step in a larger, coordinated effort along the East Shore,” said Jim Marino, Executive Director of the Tahoe Transportation District. “By expanding and improving parking management in key recreation areas, we are reducing congestion, improving safety, and supporting sustainable access to Lake Tahoe as we prepare for the eventual construction of new sections of the East Shore Trail.”
TTD awarded the construction contract to F.W. Carson Company of Incline Village, Nevada, a local contractor with extensive experience delivering transportation and infrastructure projects in the Tahoe Basin.
“This moment is years in the making,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the hard work of our agency partners, we’re thrilled to see these first steps in what will eventually be the expansion of the East Shore Trail.”
The East Shore Trail Parking Expansion Project builds on ongoing regional parking and mobility improvements designed to address high seasonal visitation and better manage limited capacity in one of the most heavily used recreation corridors in the Tahoe Basin.
As part of this broader strategy, TTD is working with the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit on additional improvements to parking areas, which are planned for opening in Spring 2026, including:
- Chimney Beach (seasonal paid parking beginning June 1)
- Secret Harbor (seasonal paid parking also beginning June 1)
- Spooner Mobility Hub (construction beginning in May)
Once open, the Chimney Beach Trailhead will provide approximately 130 parking spaces, in conjunction with parking enforcement and the removal of roadside parking spaces, to improve safety along the SR 28 corridor. The Secret Harbor Trailhead has approximately 30 spaces. Eventually, both parking areas will offer connections to the Tahoe East Shore Trail, which is currently in design.
These coordinated efforts are intended to reduce unsafe roadside parking, improve emergency vehicle access, prevent water quality impacts from compacted road shoulders, and encourage the use of transit, biking, and other alternative transportation options along SR 28.
Stay informed and plan ahead
Construction activity and visitor impacts will vary throughout the season. The public is strongly encouraged to sign up for project updates and alerts at: SR28projects@tahoetransportation.org
TTD will continue coordinating with F.W. Carson Company and partner agencies to provide construction updates as the project moves forward at www.tahoetransportation.org/projects/sr-28-north-parking-project/
For details on Tahoe Transportation District and its current projects, visit www.TahoeTransportation.org or call (775) 589-5500.