Caltrans turns off crosswalk light at Camp Richardson through holiday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Caltrans has temporarily turned off the pedestrian hybrid beacon at Camp Richardson after backup in the congested area became a concern to both motorists and other agencies.

The light on State Highway 89 at Camp Richardson was turned off on June 27 and will remain off through the upcoming weekend and July 4th holiday.

Caltrans had installed the beacon last fall as part of a water quality and roadway improvement project on Highway 89. A similar type of system was developed by the City of Tucson, Arizona, in the late 1990s and has proven to be highly effective in reducing pedestrian crash rates and in compliance by motorists.

However, some motorists have been unfamiliar with how to respond to the beacon, especially when the lights change from a solid red light to a flashing red light, and increased back-ups were occurring in what’s already a congested area with high summertime vehicle and pedestrian volumes.

Caltrans has been adjusting timing plans to increase the efficiency of the pedestrian hybrid beacon. The department intends to continue to evaluate and adjust the timing of the lights and will be adding additional signs to help educate motorists. However, the decision was made to turn off the system through the holiday, and it was turned off on Wednesday, June 27.

Caltrans issues traffic alerts on Twitter @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3. Motorists traveling to Lake Tahoe over the weekend or for the Fourth of July are encouraged to use Caltrans’ QuickMap at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or download the QuickMap app on iTunes or Google Play for real-time traffic conditions. Motorists also can use the California Highway Information Network automated phone service by calling 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).

Travelers also can text “TahoeRoads” to 99000 to opt in to receiving text message updates on travel conditions in the South Lake Tahoe area.