Highway audit of US50 and SR89 in South Lake Tahoe completed

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In 2023, Caltrans unveiled its plan to raise speed limits along three segments of US50 and SR89 after their tests showed drivers consistently went over the speed limit in those areas. The public and the City of South Lake Tahoe disagreed and objected to the plan due to safety and other concerns in these areas. At the time, Caltrans agreed to keep the existing speed limits in place with a plan to hold a workshop to go over the results with the City and come up with solutions.

During its Tuesday meeting, the City Council heard from DKS Associates, the Caltrans contractor assigned to the new audit. Several safety issues were identified over a two-day workshop with multiple agencies in October 2023. They created a list of improvements suggested to be done in the next 1-2 years, 3-5 years, and up to 10 years over the three segments:

Segment 1 is Emerald Bay Road, Lisa Maloff Way to Lake Tahoe Blvd.

Segment 2 is Lake Tahoe Boulevard, Emerald Bay Road to Blue Lake Avenue
Segment 3 is Emerald Bay Road, Lake Tahoe Boulevard to West Way (city limits)

The goal of the improvements is to change the behavior of drivers and make corridors safer. After the short-term improvements are done they will come back a few months later with further suggestions. This will give them a chance to see if successful and meet the desired outcome.

On Tuesday they were collecting comments from Council and the public to finalize their audit report by the end of March. The Council also provided new suggestions. The City will meet with Caltrans this summer and see what will (and can) be done how to fund the project(s) and determine the best implementation.

The DKS Associates improvement plan ideas:

Segment 1 short-term improvements: Restripe Class II bike lanes and repaint to meet current Class II design standards; Outreach to the public for preferred protected pedestrian-crossing locations; Add way-finding signage for the bicycle network; Install radar feedback signage or ped/bike warning signs with flashing beacons for changing traffic conditions ahead.

Segment 1 mid-term improvements: Restriping and snow clearance pilot projects to determine road diet feasibility with maintenance operations; Install Pedestrian-protected crossings – hybrid beacons after the public outreach events (suggested locations include D Street, B St, and Lisa Maloff Way).

Segment 1 long-term improvements: If found feasible, a road diet from five
lanes to three lanes and buffered bike lanes; Implement bike lanes/trail connections to the Airport/City Hall to provide access but separate bicycles from highspeed, high-volume high-speed US 50; Conduct further study to consider mobility hubs in the area to improve multimodal connections and reduce traffic downtown; Driveway consolidation south of C Street; Implement green paint for bicycle lanes where bike lanes will be added/improved; Pedestrian scale lighting installment at locations where appropriate.

Segment 2 short-term improvements: At all signalized intersections: install Accessible Pedestrian Signals, Leading Pedestrian Intervals, retroreflective backplates, and countdown pedestrian signals; Implement green paint for bicycle lanes along the entire segment; Implement pedestrian-scale lighting along the entire segment; Install hybrid beacon between Tahoe Keys Boulevard and Lodi Avenue (Grocery Outlet); Paint "KEEP CLEAR" marking message on
pavement in front of the fire station; Conduct pilot project for coordination at 35MPH speed control; Add way-finding signage for the bicycle network; Conduct lighting warrant at River Drive; Check sight triangles at broadside crash locations.

Segment 2 mid-term improvements: Implement a keep-clear zone for emergency vehicles at the fire department; Restrict Right-Turn-On-Red at signalized
intersections to improve platooning and reduce the time to wait for gaps at stop-controlled intersections; Study a fourth pedestrian crossing at Tahoe Keys and consolidate driveways at the private approach.

Segment 2 long-term improvements: Construct a short bi-directional Class I bike trail at the intersection of US 50 and SR 89 in front of TJ-Maxx to James Avenue; Conduct a study to determine the best configuration for SR 89/US 50 intersection; Recommendations include the removal of channelized right-turn lanes and reconfiguration of the intersection to decrease footprint.

Segment 3 short-term improvements: Restripe Class II bike lanes and repaint to meet current Class II design standards; Outreach to the public for preferred protected pedestrian-crossing locations; Add way-finding signage for the bicycle network; Install radar feedback signage or ped/bike warning signs with flashing beacons.

Segment 3 mid-term improvements: Restriping and maintenance pilot projects;
Install pedestrian-protected crossings – hybrid beacons after the public outreach events (suggested locations include 5th St, 10th St, and 13th
St).

Segment 3 long-term improvements: If found feasible, road diet from five lanes to three lanes and buffered bike lanes; Implement green paint for bicycle lanes along the entire segment; Pedestrian scale lighting
installment at locations where appropriate.

City Manager Joe Irvin said he was concerned that some of these projects are costly, and was wondering how Caltrans was going to pay for them. Caltrans will look for safety funds and funding will be listed in the final audit report. He said they applied for a study grant from Caltrans and all of the suggested improvements will be further studied and analyzed.

The US50 Safety Project and upgrades are coming up for South Lake Tahoe in 2024 and 2025 that aren't associated with the above.

The Council voted 4-0 to accept the US 50/89 Road Safety Audit Study. Mayor Cody Bass was not in attendance.