Thoughts on the Tahoe Basin's transportation needs. Comments you've heard or want to make about current projects. New initiatives that call for TTD involvement...or don't. Public opinion polls from the TTD, other agencies or private citizens.
That's a sample of what you'll see on this page. We look forward to your participation.
Four new BlueGo bus shelters have sprouted up in town protecting passengers from inclement weather.
The Tahoe Transportation District had the shelters designed to enhance rider comfort and safety, improve impacts of storm water runoff into the lake and to promote connectivity through mass transit. Shelters consist of benches and canopies and vary in size from 14 feet x 6 feet and 9 feet x 4.75 feet.
Three new bus shelters in California are on Highway 50, one near the intersection of Pioneer Trail; two serving both the east and westbound stops near Wildwood Ave; the fourth on Ski Run Blvd near Paradise Ave. Three additional structures are planned for winter 2012, weather permitting, on the Carson Valley side of Kingsbury Grade. Tahoe Transportation District has scheduled installation of additional shelters along various routes over the next three years. In California, sites selected will be dependent on available right of way and in coordination with Caltrans existing and planned construction projects.
At least 12 shelters are planned for the South Shore area over the next three years. With up to 70 percent of fine particulate runoff into Lake Tahoe created by transportation, and an overall cultural shift that encourages mass transit, the new shelters provide more of an incentive for people to use the BlueGo system. The shelters, considered visible landmarks, are part of an overall plan that ties in transportation networks around the lake in an effort to integrate mass transit with walking, hiking and bicycle trails.
Tahoe Transportation District has installed four new bus shelters within the past month in South Shore with plans for three more in early 2012. From right to left: Curtis Garner, Tahoe Transportation District Transit Manager; Angela Swanson, South Lake Tahoe City Councilmember; Bruce Grego, South Lake Tahoe City Councilmember; Alfred Knotts, Tahoe Transportation District Transportation Projects Manager; Mark Rayback, Principal at Wood Rodgers; Robert Haen, Vice President at Thomas Haen Company, Inc.
Why drive when you can take BlueGo. Whether it’s to an event, the mountain or just around town it’s nice to let someone else do the driving while you sit back relax and soak in Tahoe’s natural beauty from the crystal blue lake to the tall pine trees or snow-capped peaks to the crisp, clean mountain air. An added benefit – - the positive environmental footprint you leave behind.
Plan ahead this Holiday season and let public transportation take you from point A to B:
For additional maps and stops between Lake Tahoe and Carson Valley click here.
Fixed route service in Tahoe South operates seven days a week. It’s quick and easy if you’re skiing, want to sightsee through South Lake Tahoe or want to go the casino area of Stateline. For questions on route services, fares, if you’re a rider with special needs or to request a rider’s guide, call (530) 541-7149 or e-mail info@bluego.org.
Whether it’s sharing the road with bicyclists during the summer or using four wheel drive or chains in winter, even seasoned drivers will tell you mountain driving isn’t the flat lands with its share of switch backs and blind spots, steep hills and wildlife.
Weather conditions change how we drive Sierra roads and in winter chains and snow tires is certainly a given factor when crossing mountain passes in snowy conditions. Caltrans and the Nevada Department of Transportation are good places to start before you even hit the road with up to the minute reports on travel conditions.
Here are number of tips from Caltrans and NDOT on maneuvering mountain roads
Make sure that your brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, heater and exhaust systems are in good condition.
Don’t go down a mountain road any faster than you can go up it. Do not slam on brakes. Instead apply steady pressure on vehicles with anti-lock brakes and pump the brakes if necessary on vehicles aren’t equipped with anti-lock brakes.
Vehicles often build up speed moving down a steep hill. Use a low gear to help slow your vehicle down. Don’t drive in neutral or with your foot on the clutch. Check traffic through your mirrors. Be alert for large trucks and buses that may be going too fast. In some places, you will see a sign warning of a steep hill as shown in this figure.
When ascending on a steep hill, maintain a steady speed by applying more pressure on the accelerator.
Don’t “hug” the center line.
If weather conditions deteriorate slow down, be more observant and demonstrate extra road courtesy. If other drivers appear to be in a hurry, let them pass — it may be an emergency.
Remove snow and ice from all vehicle windows, mirrors, lights, turn signals and license plates.
Reduce speed. Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not winter road conditions. And just because you’re in an SUV doesn’t mean that the added weight will keep you more grounded.
Many accidents involving SUVs happen because motorists tend to believe they can navigate the roads just as good with snow on them as without.
Don’t panic if you find yourself beginning to slide on snow or ice.
To negotiate out of this, take your foot off the gas and do not hit your brakes. Steer the front of your vehicle in the direction you wish to travel. If you must use the brakes, do not allow them to lock up.
Even though the roads look clear, what you see may be deceptive black ice. Many people get into trouble by assuming the roads will not be slippery unless the temperature is freezing or below. Ice forms on road surfaces anytime the air temperature drops below 40 degrees, especially when it’s windy. Bridges and underpasses can be especially hazardous as well as low or shaded areas that don’t get enough sunlight to melt icy spots. Late night and early morning hours are especially dangerous since water accumulates and freezes.
Windshield wipers must be in good working order and washing fluid must be filled. During storms, maintaining clean windows is essential to mountain driving. During cold weather, turn on the vehicle’s defrosters. And keep in mind that passing vehicles can and do spray mud and slush.
As you’re driving in the mountains, be more observant. Visibility is limited because of sharp turns, corners and the roads are only made worse during poor weather. Slow down and keep a constant watch for other vehicles and snow removal equipment. If you are following snow removal equipment, maintain a safe distance and watch for chunks of ice and other debris.
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is a regulatory term in the U.S. Clean Water Act (CWA), ascribing a value to the maximum amount of pollutant a body of water can receive while still meeting water quality standards. While Lake Tahoe is famous for its water clarity, exceeding its TMDL is causing a significant decline.
A 2007 report by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Lahontan Region and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection indicates that fine sediment particles are the primary pollutant. The November 2010 Lake Tahoe Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Report attributes 72% of these fine sediments to urban upland run-off (page 50, figure 7-3 and below).
Disturbances due to the transportation system – cars, mass transit, parking lots, bus stops, etc. – are, directly and indirectly, the primary source. Atmospheric deposition contributes 15 percent, non-urban runoff 9 percent, stream channel erosion 4 percent and shoreline erosion less than 1 percent.
TMDL reductions have been proposed and are likely to be part of the regional plans for TRPA to require all Tahoe Basin jurisdictions to reduce fine particle loads by 34 percent by 2026. The Army Corps of Engineers has been assigned to assist Basin jurisdictions in re-prioritizing so they can meet the TMDL requirements.
In July 2011, the Army Corps released a study, “Placer County Storm Water TMDL Strategy,” to aid in assessing the science and economics to pinpoint the most cost-effective ways of reducing pollutant loads into Lake Tahoe. The conclusions compared cost and reduction of fine sediments for each of three concepts: the current area-wide Environmental Improvement Program (EIP), street sweeping and abrasive control, and current BMP practices on individual parcels.
Current EIP’s may reduce loads of fine sediment particles (FSP) between 18 to 26 percent at a cost of $70-$88 per lb/year.
Frequent sweeping plus abrasive controls will reduce FSP between 27 percent and 38 percent at a cost of $3.50 to $4.25 per lb/year.
Parcel BMP’s will reduce FSP between 20% and 23% at a cost of $26 to $41 per lb/year.
According to the report, Tahoe jurisdictions can take the following measures to reduce TMDL:
Water Quality Improvement Projects
Improve road maintenance practices for water quality – Increase and target private parcel best management practice implementation
Whether you’re heading down Echo Summit or going up Kingsbury Grade, driving in Tahoe has its own set of challenges. Your vehicle does experience stress as it climbs steep grades as well as those moments of tricky navigation during periods of heavy snow.
One element of driving in Lake Tahoe that should never be overlooked is the need to have good tires on your vehicle. You should check your tires for wear at least once a month and before and after long trips.
By checking regularly you’ll be able to see if you’re driving on worn treads and belts, which is obviously dangerous to yourself, those in your vehicle and to other motorists.
Tire wear may be a sign that something is wrong with your car.
A recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that nearly 50 percent of the 11,500 cars, pickup trucks, vans, and sport-utility vehicles the agency checked had at least one tire with half-worn tread. Another 10 percent had at least one bald tire.
Worn tires — especially bald ones — can be deadly on icy, snowy and wet roads. The reason being is the grooves aren’t deep enough to pull water out from beneath the tread, according to Consumer Reports.
This can result in the wild and scary ride known as hydroplaning, where the tread skims the water’s surface and the vehicle no longer responds to the steering wheel.
The tire tread provides the gripping action and traction that prevent your vehicle from slipping or sliding, especially when the road is wet or icy. In general, tires are not safe and should be replaced when the tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch. Tires have built-in tread-wear indicators that let you know when it is time to replace your tires.
These indicators are raised sections spaced intermittently in the bottom of the tread grooves. When they appear “even” with the outside of the tread, it is time to replace your tires.
Another method for checking tread depth is to place a penny in the tread with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, you’re ready for new tires.
The penny test.
Aside from the obvious road wear on your tire, be sure also to check your tire pressure, which, depending on the health of your tire, does lose air naturally over time.
Tires can lose air suddenly if you drive over a pothole, along rutted roads or if you smack the curb when parking. With radial tires, it is usually not possible to determine how under-inflated they are just by looking at them that’s why it is a good idea to have a tire pressure gauge to keep in your vehicle, which can be bought at tire dealerships, auto supply stores, and other retail outlets.
The recommended tire inflation pressure that vehicle manufacturers provide reflects the proper pound per square inch when a tire is cold.
The term “cold” does not relate to the outside temperature. Rather, a cold tire is one that has not been driven on for at least three hours.
When you drive, your tires get warmer, causing the air pressure within them to increase. Therefore, to get an accurate tire pressure reading, you should measure tire pressure when the tires haven’t been used within those three hours.
To learn how to check your tires for wear click here for an illustrative and step by step instruction check list.
We’re confronted with it every day at every stop light. When the light goes red, we stop and our vehicles sit idle letting out exhaust and that’s just at the traffic signal. We also allow our vehicles to idle if we’re warming up our engines, running multiple errands with stops in which we don’t turn the engine off, and at fast food drive through windows.
Vehicle idling is a problem because it wastes energy, is bad for the environment, and with recent studies, bad for our brain cells according to this Wall Street Journal article.
There have been efforts in the auto industry to help control and reduce the amount of time engines spend idling, chiefly due to fuel economy and emissions concerns. But it really comes down to the motorist being aware of their habits and adjusting them accordingly.
An idling car is the most inefficient on the road. It gets zero miles per gallon and is a waste of energy. It is said that warming your vehicle in cold weather by keeping it idle is good for the vehicle. However, environmental experts say you can warm your vehicle, its transmission and steering bearings for 30 seconds. Plus your vehicle can be warmed by simply driving off slowly.
Every gallon of gas you use produces about 19 pounds of carbon dioxide. Idling for an hour, for example, burns nearly a gallon of gas. Children and pets are vulnerable to air pollution because they breath it faster than adults and inhale more air per pound of body weight.
Most motorists may not realize it but 30 seconds of idling can use more fuel than turning off the engine and restarting it. That’s why it is recommended to not leave your vehicle running for more than 30 second, except, of course, if you’re in traffic.
To learn more about the myths and facts and what you can do to reduce your engine idling go to GreenMuze.com.
Whether you plan to use studded snow tires or install chains when the snow flies, the goal is the same: you want a safe trip on the road during the icy and snowy conditions. Your best and safest bet is to have your vehicle equipped with studded tires as well as carrying the chains because they are not usually considered tire traction devices suited for heavy storms.
California and Nevada have many high elevation mountain ranges that receive snow on a regular basis. The law limits use from Oct. 1 to April 30 in Nevada and Nov. 1 to April 30 in California each year. During this time, studded tires are permitted in any location within the states.
Drivers use these tires all over the U.S. in snowy regions to drive more safely on streets and highways and help with traction during the winter month. Snow tires have metal studs that protrude beyond the tread while chains are devices fitted to the tires of vehicles to provide maximum traction when driving through variable conditions.
Studded tires tend to damage road surfaces since the studs dig into the road and damage the pavement. Drivers can consider snow tires or using chains when the roads aren’t clear. As of December 2010, a tire with retractable studs is being sold in some markets. These tires have two layers and wireless technology allows drivers to retract the studs when the roads are good. Both California and Nevada have amended their rules to allow these tires 12 months of the year as long as the studs have been retracted during good road conditions.
Snow chains are attached to the drive wheels of a vehicle and are sold in pairs and must be purchased to match a particular tire size (tire diameter and tread width). Driving with chains will reduce fuel efficiency and can reduce the speed of the automobile to approximately 30 mph. Go here for a diagram on chain placement. Word for the wise: It’s better to practice, several times, putting on tire chains, before you hit the road. The reason being is that there’s nothing worse than struggling to put on chains when it’s cold, snowy and wet outside. The quicker you master the art of safely putting on chains, the better.
Link cable chains are preferred because they have hardened twisted links that cross chains with a cable side chain. The link cross chains provide more traction and durability compared to the cable tire chain rollers. Cable chains are allowed for passenger cars and light trucks under virtually all conditions. Cables are not as effective as link-type chain under severe conditions at higher elevations and steep grades for “big-rigs” and may not be permitted depending on local conditions as determined by Caltrans. Whenever chain controls are posted over Donner Pass on Interstate 80, heavy trucks are usually required to have link-type chain on at least the main drive axle.
Chains are most often required in the higher mountain passes of northern California, such as Interstate 5 north of Redding, Interstate 80 over Donner Pass between Sacramento and Reno, Nevada, and US Highway 50 over Echo Summit between Lake Tahoe and Sacramento. Highway 395 between Carson City to Bridgeport and on to Mammoth and through the Eastern Sierra also gets hit with heavy amounts of snow and chains and snow tires are advised for winter travel. Chains may be required at any time at these higher elevations when conditions warrant.
Motorists are advised to check the Caltrans web site or call 800-427-7623for current road conditions. For Nevada click here for road conditions or call 511 within the state, (877) 687 6237; (877) NVROADS.
Realignment of Highway 50 Behind Harrah’s/MontBleu to Promote Increased Safety, Efficient Traffic Flow, Environmental and Visual Improvements
The Tahoe Transportation District http://www.tahoetransportation.org has announced the US 50 South Shore Community Revitalization Project, a proposed plan to relocate Highway 50 at Stateline, Nevada with five lanes along Lake Parkway Boulevard behind Harrah’s, MontBleu and The Village Shopping Center (formerly Crescent V), while converting the artery through the casino core into three lanes with both thoroughfares reconnecting at Pioneer Trail in California.
“The specific benefits are major safety and environmental improvements, economic vitality, and an enhanced community and visitor experience with reduced congestion,” said Carl Hasty, District Manager, Tahoe Transportation District. “It will be part of an integrated regional network that strategically and logically connects transportation into an efficient system throughout the entire South Shore.”
The new roadway through the casino core is planned for one lane in each direction and a turn lane from Lake Parkway at Stateline, Nev., past the casinos to Pioneer Trail. A reclassification from federal highway to local street status would provide for area control. Highlights include a landscaped median and turn-pockets at major driveways and intersections along with expanded sidewalks for outdoor restaurants and pedestrian areas along with a dedicated bike lane, a concept embraced by the South Tahoe Association of Resorts in the recently announced South Shore Vision Plan.
The new US 50 alignment near Pioneer Trail would require right-of-way acquisition from private property owners and state-owned land from Van Sickle Bi-State Park along Lake Parkway and Montreal Road, displacing some existing residences and businesses southwest of The Village Center.TTD and lead agencies have initiated a Relocation Assistance Plan that will include individual, door-to-door residential meetings to explain possible relocation scenarios, to provide assistance and review eligible compensation. Tenants are guaranteed options to include housing quality at current standards and could be entitled to certain moving and replacement housing costs.
“While there are strict relocation guidelines in place including on-site interviews to inform tenants and assess needs, impacts are of a personal and individual nature,” said Hasty. “We plan to exceed the requirements with regularly updated information so people can make the most informed decisions and be as comfortable as possible with their choices.”
Homeowners and business property owners in the area have been contacted by mail about the project. Under the Uniform Federal Act, owners of residential or commercial properties are notified. TTD representatives asked landlords to notify their tenants immediately and will reach out to renters and business managers to deliver flyers door-to-door to inform them of the project.
TTD will also have a local outreach representative in the community. The TTD website and other sources of information will be regularly updated on the status of the proposal.
The Revitalization Project will provide a dedicated highway versus busy street traffic through neighborhoods with families. It may also allow for renovation of City of South Lake Tahoe properties as a source of housing for impacted tenants, thereby increasing the South Lake Tahoe tax base and improving neighborhoods with attractive, modern housing.
Several alternatives for the realignment have been considered over the past 10 years to address severe summer and winter peak period traffic congestion and to promote smoother traffic flow while optimizing safety for motorists, transit riders, pedestrians and bicyclists. The alternatives have been the subject of numerous technical evaluations, public meetings, reports and public input sessions.
Alternatives 2 and 3 have been judged to best satisfy the project objectives with Alternative 2, the TTD’s proposed action, to include a two-lane roundabout at the intersection of Highway 50 and Lake Parkway (near MontBleu and Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course). Alternatives to be evaluated in the Environmental Impact Report are available online at www.TahoeTransportation.org.
A public scoping period of 44 days to solicit views of interested persons and organizations will conclude December 16, 2011. Comments and contact information can be emailed to Carl Hasty, TTD District Manager at chasty@tahoetransportation.org.
With the environmental process under review, a start date for construction has yet to be determined; however, the earliest is estimated for summer 2015.
“The new US 50 project becomes a win for the city, the South Shore community, visitors, workers, the environment and the Lake,” said Alfred Knotts, Principal Planner/Project Manager, TTD.
For general project questions contact Judi White, Tahoe Transportation District at suggestions@us50revitalization.org or 775-589-5500. For more information on the project, contact Alfred Knotts, Principal Planner/Project Manager at aknotts@tahoetransportation.orgor 775-589-5503. For questions from homeowners and tenants regarding the relocation process contact: Tony Sierra, Relocation Services at relocation@us50revitalization.org or 916-978-4900.
With the first snow of the season hitting the Sierra earlier this month, now is as good a time as any to brush up on your winter driving skills. So whether you’re down in the valley or you plan to take a trek over the mountain passes across the Sierra, you need to know what you’re doing or else you could wind up somewhere waiting for the tow truck. While you don’t have to white knuckle drive through ice and snow, it’s a good idea to know what you’re getting into well ahead of the drive, according to The Weather Channel.
Sometimes the best advice for winter weather driving is to not drive at all.
Here’s some practical tips from Caltrans and the Nevada Department of Transportation to get you from point A to point B as you cross through the snowy, icy muck.
Before heading out you should:
Check weather and road conditions by dialing 511 within Nevada (or 1-877-NV-ROADS outside of Nevada) or 1-800-427-7623 or here for the very latest California road controls.
• Make sure your brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, heater and exhaust system are in top condition.
• Check your antifreeze and be ready for colder temperatures. You may need to add concentrated windshield washer fluid to the windshield washer fluid reservoir to prevent an icy windshield.
• Check your tires. Make sure they are properly inflated and the tread is in good condition.
• Carry chains. This is a no-brainer. Make sure they’re the proper size for your tires and are in working order. You might want to take along a flashlight and chain repair links. Chains must be installed on the drive wheels. Make sure you know if your vehicle is front or rear wheel drive. And test putting the chains on before it’s dark, snowy and cold outside.
• Carry an ice scraper or commercial de-icer, a broom for brushing snow off your car, a shovel to free you car if it is “snowed in”, sand or burlap for traction if your wheels should become mired in snow and an old towel to clean your hands.
• Pack a survival bag that contains water, food, warm blankets and extra clothing. A lengthy delay will make you glad you have them. Have your cell phone charged up. Just don’t talk on it while you’re driving.
