CalTrans proposing speed limit increases in South Lake Tahoe, public hearing June 20

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It has been 11 years since the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) raised the speed limits on US50 by 5 mph in the city limit of South Lake Tahoe, and now they are considering another 5 mph increase on both US50 and SR89.

Caltrans is required to have a public hearing when they propose speed limit changes, and the one for this proposal will be during the June 20, 2023, City Council meeting, starting at 5:30 p.m.

The proposed changes:

US50 north of Kyburz Avenue to north of C Street - increase the speed limit from 45 mph to 50 mph

US50 north of C Street to north of Blue Lake Avenue - increase the speed limit from 40 mph to 45 mph

SR89 from Lake Tahoe Blvd. at the Y to near the Pope Beach entrance. The portion from West Way to Pope Beach is not within the city limits. Increase speed limit from 35 mph to 45 mph.

Per vehicle code, Caltrans has to have an opportunity for a public hearing whenever speed limit changes are suggested to listen to residents' concerns if there are any.

South Lake Tahoe Public Works Director Anush Nejad said CalTrans will have three options after the public hearing:

1. Leave things the same and do not change,
2. Reduce the speed limit in the area,
3. Have an option to raise the speed limit.

Nejad said CalTrans will hear from both City staff, City Council, and the residents.

The most widely accepted method of determining the posted speed limit is to set the speed limit at what is called the “85th percentile speed”, which is the speed at or below which 85 percent of the traffic is moving.

CalTrans can also consider a speed limit change to seven miles below the 85 percent percentile, according to Nejad.

The proposed speed limit increase will be through the corridor between Grocery Outlet and Motel 6 where a crosswalk and flashing beacons will be added during next year's CalTrans US50 safety project.

For those unable to attend the City Council meeting and would like to comment, that may be done by writing publiccomment@cityofslt.us. The complete agenda with the traffic presentation will be posted to the City's website no less than 72 hours prior to the June 20 meeting.