U.S. Highway 50 South Lake Tahoe Safety Project virtual public open house

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is holding virtual open house for the new U.S. Highway 50 South Lake Tahoe Safety Project slated for the 2024/25 building seasons. The purpose of this $16.8 million project is to reduce vehicle collisions with those who walk and bicycle within this segment of Highway 50 (referred to as Lake Tahoe Boulevard within city limits) from the junction of the Highway 89 “Y” to Pioneer Trail.

There were 41 reported collisions, including six fatalities, between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019. Most of those collisions occurred at night, Caltrans said.

A public meeting to describe the project would normally be held in person, but due to the pandemic, a recorded video presentation is being made. Caltrans is seeking community feedback on the plans.

Safety measures featured in the project include continuous lighting throughout the corridor, green-painted bike lane treatments on both sides of the highway, enhanced-visibility crosswalks, improved bike signage, the addition of three mid-block crossings, a two-stage turn queue box for bicyclists at multiple locations, and a signalized intersection at Johnson Boulevard.

The Draft Environmental Document (DED) is currently circulating for public comment through March 31, 2021. The document is available on the District 3 website. It is also available at the El Dorado County Library/South Lake Tahoe branch, located at 1000 Rufus Allen Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe; and copies can be provided at the Caltrans District 3 Office at 703 B Street in Marysville.

The final Environmental Document (ED) is anticipated to be approved in May, with bid advertising in the summer of 2023. Construction is expected to begin in the spring or summer of 2024 and scheduled for completion in the fall or winter of 2025.

Community members can submit their comments on the DED via postal mail to: Caltrans Environmental Management M3 Branch, 703 B Street, Marysville, CA 95901, Attn: U.S. Highway Safety Project, or by email at south.lake.tahoe.safety.project@dot.ca.gov. Comments must be received by March 31 to be addressed in the ED.

A “virtual” open house video about the proposed project can be viewed on District 3’s YouTube channel or at the end of this story. The video explains the need and the process for comment.