Kingsbury Grade Closing to Through Traffic in May, September and October

A year and a half road construction project will result in the closure of Kingsbury Grade for almost 75 days this year and more in 2015. Since this will have an impact on local businesses, residents and commuters, a forum was held on Wednesday in order to inform the community about the impact.

A full house was on hand in the TahoeChamber conference room to listen to representatives from Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) and the road construction company.

The project on State Route 207 (Kingsbury Grade) will include repaving, installation of curbs, ADA compliant sidewalks and gutters. Kingsbury General Improvement District (KGID) will also be working on water pipes in the area during the same time.

In the month of May, until Memorial Day, NDOT will close Kingsbury Grade at Tramway Drive, which is at the top. The lake side of the route will still be accessible during the closure but no cars will be allowed on the valley side. This will occur again after Labor Day until the construction deadline of October 15. During the summer months there will be continued construction with road controls. Work will be conducted during the late night hours, which have yet to be determined. NDOT and the construction company will evaluate the best time to work based on the traffic, perhaps 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. or 11 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Since many employees of South Lake Tahoe area businesses travel from the Carson Valley to work, the forum addressed concerns and shared information with those in attendance. Tahoe Transportation District, which runs the local buses, will be allowed to run the valley to lake bus route during the road closure. They will put more buses on the route, look at extending hours and, after listening to concerns, accommodate more bikes on the buses. Employees can also travel to the lake via Spooner Summit on Highway 50 or over Luther Pass on Highway 89.

"They are taking a real proactive approach," said Pacific Crest Gallery owner Rosemary Wood. "This necessary project will impact a lot of people and they are taking into consideration the needs of everyone to accomplish it."

Curtis Fong, owner of Bike the West, spoke to the panel about the impact the road closure would have on his September 7th Tour de Tahoe, as did a Carson Valley Business Association member who expressed concern about the road closure impact on September's Candy Dance and May's Cowboy Festival. The panel said they would work with all group's concerns so the impact is as minimal as possible.

B Gorman of the TahoeChamber told those in attendance that now is the time to start planning on what they will do during the road clousre. If a business has employees that commute, let Tahoe Transportation District know the numbers so they can put enough buses into operation to assist all. Businesses can start letting their customers know through social media and other forms of communication.

Barton Health representatives expressed concern that women in labor in the valley couldn't get up to the lake in time, and patients that come to appointments wouldn't be able to get to the doctors as easily. Security and law enforcement will be placed at the valley side of Kingsbury Grade to assist with emergencies, but all others should look to the bus or other routes. There will also be plans in place in case of fire evacuation needs.

A website will be operational by March 11 that will have maps, bus routes and information available. There will be more public meetings to help spread the word about the closure, one in the valley and one more at the lake.