Caltrans not raising existing speed limits in South Lake Tahoe city limits

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After heavy public input about the proposed speed limit change along US50 and SR89 in South Lake Tahoe, Caltrans has agreed to keep the existing speed limits. The public comments from the June 20 City Council meeting and input from the City have led to the speed limits remaining the same for at least the next 14 years.

The speed zones, where prevailing speeds justify speed limit changes, will remain the same and will be certified into law. A Road Safety Audit (RSA) is planned in the proposed speed zone areas. The RSA is a formal safety performance examination of the roadway and is conducted by a multidisciplinary team that consists of the Federal Highway Administration, local fire and police departments, California Highway Patrol, City of South Lake Tahoe personnel, Caltrans personnel, El Dorado County personnel, and the Lake Tahoe Bike Coalition. The RSA will address the city’s proposed signal timing pilot project and potential signal improvements at selected intersections along US 50 from the “Y” to Stateline, where warranted.

“We are extremely pleased with the decision made by Caltrans to maintain the existing speed limits within the city limits instead of increasing them. The public’s input along with the city’s opposition to the proposed speed limit increase was a significant factor in their decision process and we appreciate that Caltrans took this into consideration,” said Anush Nejad, director of Public Works. “We look forward to collaboratively working with Caltrans and a multidisciplinary team on a Road Safety Audit to address safety issues in the corridor, including pedestrian and bicyclists safety, consideration to implement a pilot signal timing project to maintain a consistent 35 mph progression speed, and other enhancements, such as accessible pedestrian signals (APS), which are devices at signalized intersections that provide non-visual information (i.e., audible tones and vibrotactile surfaces) for pedestrians who are blind or have low vision to enhance accessibility and equity, and pedestrian scramble phases, where an exclusive pedestrian phase is added to the signal timing.”

"Our community spoke with a unified voice against these proposed speed limit increases and Caltrans heard us. I want to thank everyone who came to the City Council meeting, spoke on the item during the public hearing, and those who submitted written comments. We all came together to keep our pedestrians, cyclists, wildlife, and motorists safe," said South Lake Tahoe Mayor Cristi Creegan. “I also want to thank our dedicated city staff who developed a positive relationship with multiple levels of Caltrans management. Communication from the community and city staff was key in creating this outcome."