SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The California Tahoe Conservancy Board authorized a $2 million grant for El Dorado County to build a critical missing section of the south shore shared-use trail network. The Johnson Meadow Greenway Connector Project will provide a safe route for people biking, walking, and rolling between South Lake Tahoe neighborhoods east and west of the Upper Truckee River.
“It’s exciting to see this transformative project move forward,” said Conservancy Vice Chair and El Dorado County Supervisor Brooke Laine. “By tying together our neighborhoods and visitor destinations, this new trail crossing will provide lasting benefits for residents and visitors, and even for wildlife.”
The Conservancy began planning the Greenway in 2002, using the leftover right-of-way from a planned-but-canceled major freeway through south shore communities. Current sections of the Greenway provide car-free access for visitors and residents to neighborhoods, schools, parks, recreation areas, and other community destinations throughout South Lake Tahoe. The Conservancy and its partners long hoped to add a Greenway connection across the Upper Truckee River to the Barton Memorial Hospital and South Tahoe “Y” areas. This crossing became a possibility when Tahoe Resource Conservation District acquired Johnson Meadow in 2018.
The grant from the Conservancy is the last bit of funding the County needed for the $12 million project. Planning, environmental, design, and right-of-way cost $1.4M, and construction is budgeted for $10.6M.
Anticipated schedule:
- Fall 2026 – Complete Engineering Design
- Winter 2026 – Secure Construction Permits
- Spring 2027 – Advertise for Construction Bids
- Spring 2027 – If favorable bids, Award Construction Contract
- Summer 2027 – Begin 1st season’s construction activities
- Fall 2027 – Winterize
- Spring 2028 – Begin 2nd season’s construction activities
The $2 million comes from Proposition 4 (Climate Bond) funds. Additional funding for the project comes from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Caltrans, and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, along with potential funding from El Dorado County.
The raised trail and bridge sections over creek and meadow crossings protect sensitive meadow habitat and infrastructure from high water flows and provide safe passage for wildlife. The same structures will also keep the trail open during higher flows from extreme weather events.
