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Roadwork begins in Lake Tahoe Basin

Claire Cudahy
ccudahy@tahoedailytribune.com
There are a handful of construction projects slated for U.S. 50 this summer that will cause delays, including the construction of a new bike path from Ski Run Boulevard to El Dorado Beach.
Claire Cudahy / Tahoe Daily Tribune |

With warmer weather comes the familiar sight of bright orange traffic cones and work zones.

After a rough winter, many local roads on the South Shore are slated for pothole repair and rehabilitation, but there are also a handful of larger-scale highway projects in the works around the lake.

So load up that smartphone with podcasts and muster up some patience, because construction season is upon us in the Lake Tahoe Basin.



U.S. 50

Spanning from Glenbrook to South Lake Tahoe, there are four projects slated for U.S. 50 this year.



Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) has plans for slope stabilization and erosion control on U.S. 50 near Logan Shoal Drive in Glenbrook. This winter numerous vehicle-sized boulders fell into the eastbound lane north of Cave Rock. Several large boulders remain at the bottom of the slope along with concrete barriers and large gravel bags, which have reduced traffic to one lane in each direction for a stretch.

Before the second lane can be reopened, crews will remove the boulders and debris from the slope and road. Next, bars will be drilled into the slope to secure heavy-duty mesh that will be eventually be covered in 16 inches of sprayable concrete

According to NDOT spokeswoman Meg Ragonese, this project is tentatively scheduled to start this summer and will be completed in spring 2018 or possibly sooner. Delays of up to 20 minutes are expected.

Farther south in Zephyr Cove, pedestrian safety improvements will be made to U.S. 50 at the intersection of Lake Shore Boulevard, including an updated crosswalk. This project is scheduled for September to October, and will delay drivers up to 20 minutes.

Though no roadwork is being conducted, U.S. 50 is temporarily reduced to one lane around Ski Run Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe due to the construction of a 1-mile bike path connecting Ski Run Boulevard to El Dorado Beach. Lane closures will not occur on holidays or weekends, and the project is expected to be completed by mid-July or early August.

Lastly, the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) has begun work on U.S. 50 from the Y to Trout Creek Bridge in South Lake Tahoe. In addition to stormwater treatment improvements, the project will widen the roadway to include 6-foot shoulders for bike lanes; replace traffic signals, curbs, gutters and sidewalks; and improve the pavement slope. Expect delays of up to 30 minutes.

Kingsbury Grade

Drainage repairs are underway on Kingsbury Grade from the summit of Daggett Pass to Nevada Route 206. Construction may take from now until October and result in delays of up to 20 minutes.

CA 89

There are three projects on tap for California Route 89 on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore, starting with drainage improvements, road widening, paving, permanent striping and sign installations from Wilson Avenue to Granlibakken Road. The roadwork will primarily take place on the stretch between Ward Creek and Cedar Crest Avenue from May to July. Delays of up to 20 minutes are anticipated.

Next in line is a multi-year project in Tahoe City that includes the realignment of California Route 89, replacement of the Truckee River “Fanny” Bridge, construction of three roundabouts and a multi-use path, as well as streetscape and drainage improvements. Delays of up to 20 minutes can be expected from May to October.

The third project on deck is the construction of a shared-use path and drainage improvements from Sugar Pine Point State Park to Meeks Bay Resort from July to October. Intermittent delays of up to 20 minutes are possible.

NV 28

Water quality and safety enhancements, plus a new shared-use path connecting Sand Harbor and Incline Village, are being constructed from May to October. Delays of up to 20 minutes are anticipated.

I-80

Outside Truckee work has already begun on Interstate 80, which is expected to last through October and cause up to 20-minute delays. Pavement removal, grinding, and rehabilitation are taking place, along with joint sealing and striping.


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