Conservancy approves easements to Caltrans for US50 safety project in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) project to improve safety for walkers and cyclists along US50 needed an agreement from the California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) to allow access and easements to move forward. During its board meeting Thursday, the CTC board unanimously approved the items needed to support the safety project that will add street lighting, painted bike lanes, improved bicycle signage, and enhanced crosswalk visibility along the highway. The project extends from the South Lake Tahoe “Y” east to the intersection with Pioneer Trail.

Caltrans will be allowed to build and maintain infrastructure on three Conservancy properties along the highway after the board decision which includes the transfer of 415 square feet of CTC land to Caltrans. The decision also allows the City of South Lake Tahoe to maintain new lighting improvements installed on CTC land and authorizes the Tahoe Resource Conservation District to provide similar rights to Caltrans on part of its Johnson Meadow property. The Conservancy’s $4.2-million grant to support Tahoe RCD’s acquisition of Johnson Meadow, awarded in 2016, included terms requiring Tahoe RCD to seek Conservancy Board approval before transferring any interests in real property.

The agreement provides the following agreements:

Caltrans was allowed temporary access to Conservancy-owned properties to construct lighting improvements and underground electrical conduit along U.S. Highway 50.

Execute a transfer of jurisdiction agreement with Caltrans for 415 square feet of the Conservancy’s Urgent Care parcels so they can maintain the underground electrical conduit in perpetuity.

Execute permanent easements with the City of South Lake Tahoe to maintain the lighting improvements on three properties.

Caltrans will compensate the Conservancy $5,900 for the transfer of jurisdiction and easements.