NEW SOUTH TAHOE TRANSIT INFORMATION
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NOTICE OF PREPARATION
Notice of Preparation of a TRPA Draft EIS and CEQA Draft EIR for the State Route (SR)
89 /Fanny Bridge Community Revitalization Project
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NOTICE OF PREPARATION /NOTICE OF INTENTNotice of Preparation (NOP) of a CEQA Draft EIR and TRPA Draft EIS and Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare a Draft EIS for the US 50/South Shore Community Revitalization Project. View Notice
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US 50/South Shore Community Revitalization Project |
A transportation project, in the South Shore/Stateline area, is being considered to promote increased safety, efficient traffic flow, and environmental and visual improvements. The proposed plan would convert U.S. Highway 50's existing route through the commercial core into a three-lane local street while realigning the highway, itself, to provide two travel lanes in each direction. (Read a question/answer overview of key resident-related information here.)
Location - U.S. Highway 50 between Nevada State Route 207 in Stateline, NV and Pioneer Trail in South Lake Tahoe, CA. The proposed four-lane realignment, with left-turn pockets at intersections and business entrances, would follow Lake Parkway East from its Nevada intersection, along the mountain side (southeast) of the commercial core behind Harrah's and MontBleu.
Click Photo to Enlarge
Past the casinos, the realignment would continue behind (south of) the Heavenly Village Center (Raley's Shopping Center and former Crescent V), then along a new section between Fern and Echo Roads. It would rejoin the existing US 50 at Pioneer Trail.
History - The concept of a bypass to ease flow by routing through-traffic behind the casinos was first proposed in 1980. Since then, the area has grown to include a transportation center, three anchor lodging properties, The Shops at Heavenly Village, the Heavenly Gondola, the Village Center (formerly Crescent V) and Raley's Shopping Center.
The number of residents and visitors drawn to what is generally considered "downtown" continues to increase as do emissions caused by stop-and-start traffic. Additional cars also contribute to the Tahoe transportation system's effect on the lake. A 2010 report attributed loss of lake clarity to increased fine sediment run-off and identified the transportation system as a primary source (over 70% of the particulates).
Recent South Shore redevelopment has also drawn attention to the lack of sufficient infrastructure to safely support pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. Residents, commuters and visitors spend their time sitting in traffic without the options to walk, bike or use transit to their destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions - For the answers to several questions commonly asked at our public meetings and presentations, please click here.
Design - U.S. Highway 50 Realignment
The basic concept is to ease flow by continuing two lanes of traffic eastbound from California into Nevada, circling behind the shopping center, connecting with the existing Lake Parkway under the Heavenly Gondola and behind Harrah's and MontBleu, then connecting with US 50 at the current intersection adjacent to Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.
At this intersection, as a roundabout in one concept, westbound traffic would have the option of moving onto Lake Parkway (a four-lane US 50), continuing behind the casinos and rejoining with today's highway at Pioneer Trail.
The current route, through the commercial core, would become a three-lane local street with one travel lane in each direction and a center turn lane or landscaped median with turn pockets. No longer a federal highway, this area could be closed off and used as an outdoor mall for special events. The design would also allow for wider sidewalks, encouraging outdoor dining and shopping. This increase in activity would create a vibrant image for visitors and attract customers for local businesses.
More importantly, the combination of a faster, more convenient, four-lane US 50 throughway behind the casinos and a "local street" between them would promote safety. In 2008, over 5,000 pedestrians and cyclists died on U.S. roads and more than 120,000 were injured. The US 50/South Shore Community Revitalization Project would significantly reduce the risk to multi-modal commuters and visitors.
TTD and their transportation partners -- the City of South Lake Tahoe, Douglas County, El Dorado County, Caltrans, NDOT and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency -- have evaluated various specific design alternatives. Since 2009, several plans have been presented to the general public, businesses and service clubs, as well as other transportation, environmental and government agencies. Planning organizations have analyzed the possibilities for efficiency and compatibility with other potential transportation projects.
After considiering all proposed designs, Alternative 2 and Alternative 3 remain viable, but others may be addressed in the environmental analysis document. Alternative 2 includes a roundabout at the current intersection of US 50 and Lake Parkway.
Design - South Shore Revitalization
According to Complete Streets, "65% of trips under one mile are now made by automobile because of incomplete streets that make it more dangerous to walk, bicycle or take transit." Renovations would help convert these short trips to multi-modal travel in the South Shore community.
This project would also facilitate revitalization of the South Shore/Stateline area, impacting a number of existing structures. Approximately 75 aging units might require acquisition should Alternative 2 or 3 be selected.
Following federal guidelines and laws (and planning to exceed those requirements whenever possible), TTD and lead agencies have initiated a Relocation Assistance Plan. (See "ABOUT COMMUNITY IMPACT" in "Frequently Asked Questions." and Highway 50 Flyer for residents.) Experienced relocation representatives will be on site to ensure the smoothest transition possible for each affected resident and/or business.
Staff will be available to answer questions by phone - 775.589.5500 - and email -
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. One-on-one meetings will be scheduled. Information will be continually updated on this website. Reflecting the cultural make-up of the neighborhood, it will also be accessible in English, Spanish and Tagalog printed materials.
For residents, Relocation Assistance could include completely remodeled and refurbished housing or placement in housing comparable in condition, size and market value.
Goals/Benefits - The US 50/South Shore Community Revitalization Project is focusing on:
• Making transportation more effective and convenient with better connectivity, reliability and travel times
• Lessening environmental impact with reduced vehicle emissions and better storm water treatment
• Improving vehicular mobility for residents, visitors and commerce
• Reducing conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians, created by congestion in the commercial core and use of the residential back street shortcut
• Renovating properties, currently not being used and targeted by the City of South Lake Tahoe for redevelopment, to relocate impacted residents and businesses
• Providing construction jobs and increasing materials sales locally with the renovations
Timing - A public scoping period for the environmental document is open until December 16, 2011. Comments received during the designated scoping period would be most helpful. However, they can be submitted at any time during the environmental review. Please email comments to Alfred Knotts, TTD Program Manager,
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or
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.
Other key dates in the proposed schedule include:
12/2011 Second Public Hearing for Environmental Document
12/2012 Certification of Environmental Document (formal acquisition of property can proceed)
1/2013 Caltrans Project Approval, NDOT Project Approval
2013 Design Complete
Spring 2014 Relocation Begins
2015-2017 Construction
Individual meetings and planning regarding relocation will be ongoing.
Comments or Questions -
Regarding the relocation process, please contact TTD representatives at:
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Regarding the US 50/South Shore Community Revitalization Project in general, please contact
Tahoe Transportation District at:
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775.589.5500
Please mail written questions or comments to:
Tahoe Transportation District
PO Box 499
Zephyr Cove, NV 89448
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