SR28 Corridor

From the California-Nevada state line at Crystal Bay, the State Route 28 (SR 28) Scenic Byway continues through Incline Village to US Highway 50 at Spooner Summit. The two-lane highway south of Incline Village is the only corridor access for over one million recreating visitors and over four million vehicles annually. SR 28 has limited paved off-highway parking. As a result, the shoulder parking on this narrow highway is the leading cause of crashes. Vehicles Parked along the edge of steep slopes and in areas with limited sight distance. The lack of bike and pedestrian facilities also creates serious safety issues, with over 3,000 bikes and pedestrians, on a summer day, trying to access public lands by using the travel lanes as sidewalks. Motorists have a difficult time seeing pedestrians when they step out between vehicles parked bumper to bumper on the shoulder.

In 2013, 13 partner agencies came together to develop the SR 28 National Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan (CMP) to address the following goals: to improve safety, protect the lake, enhance visitor experience, expand multi-modal transportation choices, and promote economic vitality. These goals also align with the 2020 Regional Transportation Plan, which aims to make travel around Tahoe safer, more convenient, and less impactful on the environment. The CMP includes recommendations and projects to achieve those goals.

To assure a multi-jurisdictional approach to environmental permitting, the US Forest Service was the lead agency for the Environmental Assessment (EA) in coordination with local jurisdictions, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Nevada Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, TTD and other project partners. The EA was completed in the winter of 2019, with a Finding of No Significant Impact and the Decision Notice completed November 2020.

The first project completed in the corridor was the North Demonstration Project, the first three miles of the Tahoe East Shore Trail, connecting Incline Village to Sand Harbor State Park. The trail was completed and opened June 28, 2019. A paid parking lot with 90 spaces was also constructed near the Ponderosa Ranch Road at the north trailhead, allowing visitors a safe place to park while recreating.

The projects planned for the remaining eight miles of the SR 28 corridor include the continuation of the Tahoe East Shore Trail, public transit elements, off-highway parking, along with water quality improvements. These projects are being designed in a phased approach dependent on partner priorities and available funding.

Partners

Status: Current

Start Date: 12/04/2019

Last Update Date: 11/21/2024