Cave Rock tunnel project 25 percent completed

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - The Cave Rock tunnel and road project on Highway 50 is approximately 25 percent completed according the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT). The road construction is to enhance driver safety along the east shore of Lake Tahoe, but with the massive, $6 million undertaking, there are minor traffic delays. With the upcoming July 4 holiday, NDOT is reminding drivers that they should anticipate these minor travel delays.

“We encourage everyone to visit and enjoy Lake Tahoe,” NDOT District Engineer Thor Dyson explained. “But, with many visitors traveling to Lake Tahoe for holidays such as Fourth of July, drivers should plan a little extra travel time for road improvements being made in the Cave Rock area.”

What is being constructed is an approximately 60-foot long and 27-foot tall tunnel extension of the westbound, lakeside Cave Rock tunnel to enhance safety and reduce the potential of rock fall onto the roadway. Lighting and white paint will be added inside each tunnel for better visibility and two new radar-activated overhead signs will be installed to automatically notify drivers of bicyclists or potentially icy conditions in the tunnels. Paving and water quality improvements will also be made. The road improvement project is on schedule.

Traffic has been reduced to one lane in each direction through the eastbound Cave Rock tunnel, with 25-mile-per-hour speed limits. While construction-related travel delays are minimal on average weekdays, travel times through the construction zone can increase during heavily-traveled event and holiday periods. Oversize and overdimensional semi-trucks are not permitted through the tunnel during construction. The project by contractor Q&D Construction will continue through fall of 2016.

Further project information is available at www.nevadadot.com/caverock or by dialing (775) 888-7000.