ONE TAHOE launched to address transportation needs around the lake

LAKE TAHOE, CA/NV – Lake Tahoe needs our help. The “Jewel of the Sierra” is being loved to death. The vast amount of trips being made by motor vehicles have contributed to severe traffic congestion, unsafe conditions for cars, pedestrians, and cyclists, mounting air pollution, declining lake clarity, and other negative impacts.

The Tahoe Transportation District (TTD), in collaboration with agency partners, today launched “ONE TAHOE,” a basin-wide initiative created to address those impacts and will focus on achieving the full funding necessary to transform the community transportation vision into reality.

The public is invited to participate in "ONE TAHOE" workshops being held on both ends of Lake Tahoe to gather suggestions on how to get that funding for all areas around the lake to realize the long-awaited transportation system envisioned in community plans. They will inform and discuss the community-developed Regional Transportation Plan, current challenges, available funding, and potential solutions to address the transportation funding shortfall. Professionals estimate there is a $1.53 billion shortfall in the transportation funding needed through 2040 in Lake Tahoe.

On January 29, the workshop is from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency offices at 128 Market Street, Stateline, Nev.

On January 30, the workshop is from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation located at 948 Incline Way, Incline Village, Nev.

People don't need to attend in person to be able to participate. TTD also launched a new online resource available at www.ONETAHOE.org to introduce the initiative and allow the public to submit ideas and suggestions. The project's webpage provides background information on this initiative and commences the first round of stakeholder outreach to develop a list of proposed funding solutions.

Submitted ideas will be carefully considered and weighed by a group of transportation professionals working with local agencies to develop a final recommendation to present to elected officials and leaders on the best ways to fill the transportation funding gap.

With an estimated 50 million vehicle trips in, out, and around the Lake Tahoe Basin annually, parking and congestion issues are impacting the quality of the Tahoe experience for visitors and residents alike. Preserving the pristine beauty that makes Lake Tahoe a national treasure hinges on expanding transportation options in order to reduce motor vehicle use by enticing more people to utilize alternate means of transportation, such as public transit, walking, and cycling.

“Much of what we love and cherish about Lake Tahoe is at stake,” said Carl Hasty, district manager of the Tahoe Transportation District. “Emissions and particulates from vehicles and parking lots wash into the lake and are a major cause of declining water clarity. We know that providing transportation choices are key to protecting Lake Tahoe’s health and improving the quality of life and visits for those drawn to its shores.”

If current trends continue, the Lake Tahoe of tomorrow will be less attractive to our residents and many visitors leading to a declining economy, job losses, and ultimately serious harm to this wonderful place we all love – Lake Tahoe.

Our transportation system can play a major part in mitigating these impacts. Funds are needed to implement, operate, and maintain an extensive transportation system that includes transit and multi-modal options such as bike/pedestrian trails and ferries. This complete transportation system will mitigate vehicle impacts to Lake Tahoe and protect its pristine beauty for future generations.

The community transportation vision articulated in the Regional Transportation Plan has been developed and evolved over decades with the participation of public and private stakeholders. This plan identifies transportation system improvements as a critical component of protecting Lake Tahoe’s health because more than 70 percent of the pollutants impacting the declining water clarity come from the transportation system and built environment.

Monitor www.ONETAHOE.org for project updates and notices regarding additional public meetings. For more information about TTD, please visit www.TahoeTransportation.org. Follow TTD on Twitter @TahoeTrans, and connect on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ONETAHOE.

- South Tahoe Now Staff Report