Comments sought for SR 89/Fanny Bridge community revitalization project

Draft environmental documents are available for public review and comment for the State Route 89/Fanny Bridge Community Revitalization Project in Tahoe City, California. Public comments will be accepted through Tuesday, February 17, 2015.
The proposed project aims to improve traffic congestion at the intersection of State Route 28 and State Route 89 in Tahoe City and address the long-term structural integrity of the “Fanny Bridge” over the Truckee River. Improvements are designed to reduce traffic congestion, accommodate future traffic increases, enhance motorized and non-motorized mobility, increase access across the Truckee River, address pedestrian and traffic safety concerns, and encourage revitalization of the Tahoe City community.

Realignment of State Route 89 in Tahoe City has been identified as a priority in the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Regional Plan, Tahoe Metropolitan Planning Organization Regional Transportation Plan, TRPA Environmental Improvement Program, Caltrans State Route 89 Transportation Corridor Concept Report, and the Tahoe City Community Plan.

Tahoe Transportation District is lead agency for the Environmental Impact Report prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act. TRPA is lead agency for the Environmental Impact Statement under the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact Code of Ordinances and Rules of Procedure. Federal Highway Lands Administration Central Federal Lands Highway Division is lead agency for the Environmental Assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act.

The environmental documents are available online at www.trpa.org/get-involved/major-projects/ and www.tahoetransportation.org/fanny-new-1. They are also available at the Tahoe Transportation District, 128 Market Street, Stateline, NV; TRPA, 128 Market Street, Stateline, NV; Placer County Planning Services Division, 775 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA; Tahoe City Public Utility District, 221 Fairway Dr., Tahoe City, CA; Tahoe City Library, 740 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA; and Kings Beach Library, 301 Secline Drive, Kings Beach, CA.

The environmental documents examine seven project alternatives being considered for implementation. That includes six action alternatives and one no-action alternative. Alternatives 1 through 4 include construction of a new bridge over the Truckee River, realignment of State Route 89 through the 64-Acre Tract, rehabilitation or replacement of Fanny Bridge, bike path realignments, and modifications to the Caltrans maintenance yard. Alternatives 6 and 6A focus on rehabilitating or replacing Fanny Bridge and maintaining the existing State Route 89/State Route 28 intersection.

The environmental documents do not make a recommendation regarding approval or denial of this project. Their analysis is for informational purposes and will be used by Tahoe Transportation District, TRPA, and Federal Highway Administration Central Federal Lands Highway Division to render decisions regarding approval of project elements within their jurisdiction and selection of an alternative. Several public hearings are scheduled to accept public comments on the draft environmental documents:

· January 14, 2015, 9:30 a.m., TRPA Advisory Planning Commission, 128 Market St., Stateline, NV.
· January 23, 2015, 9:30 a.m., Tahoe Transportation District Board of Directors, Granlibakken Resort, 725 Granlibakken Road, Tahoe City, CA.
· January 28, 2015, 9:30 a.m., TRPA Governing Board, The Chateau, 955 Fairway Blvd., Incline Village, NV.

Public comments should focus on the adequacy of information in the draft EIR/EIS/EA documents and be submitted in writing at the earliest possible date, but no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, February 17, 2015. They can be sent to Brian Judge, Principal Environmental Specialist at TRPA, by mail, PO Box 5310, Stateline, NV 89449; by fax, 775-588-4527; or by email, bjudge@trpa.org.
After public review of the draft EIR/EIS/EA, the environmental documents will be considered by the lead agencies for approval and certification. Dates for approval hearings have not yet been set. Please contact the Tahoe Transportation District at 775-589-5500 for the specific times and locations or check the website www.tahoetransportation.org. Notices for these hearings will also be published in a paper of local or regional circulation.