New Sierra Boulevard officially unveiled with ribbon cutting ceremony

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Almost six months after work on the rehabilitation of Sierra Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe began, an official ceremony dedicating its reopening was held Thursday.

"The Sierra Boulevard project is more than just a road project," said SLT Mayor Brooke Laine. "It is a quality of life project. Its completion brings more than a half-mile of bike and walking trails to this area."

The .6 mile stretch from Palmira Avenue to Barbara Avenue got drainage improvements that went into arterial streets along Sierra Boulevard, the addition of bike lanes, a shared-use (bicycle and pedestrian) trail on one side of the street, a pedestrian path on the other side of the street, new street lighting, landscaping, and water quality treatment. Utilities went underground and the 81-foot wide old dirt sides of the road are now paved parallel parking spot

The new light poles have power outlets that will allow the City to add holiday or other types of festive lights and items such as banners and wreaths can be added to the poles. What goes on the poles will be determined by the surrounding Tahoe Sierra neighborhood according to Ray Jarvis, the City's public works director.

Jarvis thanked Project Manager Stan Hill from his department, the contractor Herback General Engineering, and Nichols Consulting Engineers. He said all worked together and "got the job done."

The $5.5M project was primarily grant-funded and originally slated for 2018 but requirements of the grants added extra pre-planning work such as testing soil for historical artifacts. Instead of a two-season build, they were able to start in May 2019 and finish up. Even though the ribbon-cutting was Thursday there will be a few more days of finish work.

The trees and shrubs added along the route will be watered through a drip system.

"We fee the pain," said Jarvis over complaints about road closures as they created the new road.

The pedestrian path will connect to the new South Tahoe Greenway Shared Use Trail being implemented by the California Tahoe Conservancy.

"The Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition is excited to see this new connection," said Gavin Feiger of the coalition. "We are looking forward to the same type of project on Al Tahoe Boulevard next year."

At the northern end of Sierra Boulevard Caltrans has added new stoplights that allow for two left-hand turn lanes onto US50/Lake Tahoe Blvd.

The new payment on Sierra Blvd. has drawn the neighborhood to walk, ride and drive, but unfortunately, it's also drawn those who want to speed down the road well above the posted 35 mph speed limit as well as skateboards in the car lanes.