New reflective traffic lights installed in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - You may have noticed stoplights along Lake Tahoe Boulevard have been changed over the past several days. Crews from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) installed the new light backplates not only in South Lake Tahoe but across the state to increase the visibility of the signals.

The changes to lights are in response to the possibility of an increase in Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) amid fire concerns. Traffic signals at intersections on state highways could go dark (inoperative, nonworking or blackout) without much notice for extended periods of time.

Most intersections already have the new reflective plates in South Lake Tahoe, and if not, most will be changed over soon.

Not only will the new reflective plates help aid drivers, but there are also "Signal Ahead" signs and lane striping if an intersection meets certain criteria - the first signal approaching an urban area, isolated traffic signals on a conventional highway to rural area expressway, or signals in areas where approach visibility is limited or when speed limits exceed 50 mph.