Caltrans wraps up 2016 roadwork season in Lake Tahoe, prepares for major projects in 2017

Approximately $158 million was spent on Lake Tahoe water quality improvement projects around Lake Tahoe in 2016, and Caltrans is not done.

In 2017 two major projects will get underway, one on each end of the lake.

During the busy 2016 season, Caltrans and its contractors completed work on two projects on State Highway 89 and made significant progress on a third.

What happened in 2016:

Curbs, gutters, sidewalks and drainage systems were added to a five-mile stretch of Highway 89 from the “Y” intersection with U.S. Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe through Camp Richardson to Cascade Road. The roadway also was widened and repaved. The $25 million project started last year. Qualcon Contractors Inc. was the primary contractor.

Another project from Cascade Road over Emerald Bay to the Eagle Falls Viaduct also recently wrapped up construction. Don Garcia Excavating and Paving was the primary contractor on the $13 million project that included water quality improvements and resurfacing the roadway.

Along the West Shore of 89, all but about 10 percent of the work has been completed on a multi-year project rebuilding the highway from Tahoma to Tahoe City with curbs and gutters, drainage treatment facilities, new pavement and wider shoulders throughout. Road and Highway Builders will complete work on the $70.1 million project during the first part of next season.

“We’re pleased to continue our efforts to make Lake Tahoe highways more sustainable, safer for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists, and better for the environment by collecting and treating stormwater runoff from the roadways,” said Caltrans District 3 Director Amarjeet S. Benipal.

In addition to Caltrans’ work on Highway 89, Placer County has completed its $50 million water quality and streetscape project on Highway 28 in Kings Beach. The work included new curbs and gutters, sidewalks, landscaping and street lighting. It also reduced the highway from four lanes to three and included construction of two roundabouts.

What's on tap in 2017:

Next season will mark the start of Caltrans’ final major water quality project as part of the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP), a partnership of private and public agencies working to preserve and protect the lake. The project is on Highway 50 in the City of South Lake Tahoe from the “Y” to Trout Creek. It’s expected to be completed in 2019.

Work also will begin in earnest next season on a Federal Highway Administration Central Federal Lands Highway Division project that will build a new bridge over the Truckee River in Tahoe City, replace the existing Truckee River (Fanny) Bridge and convert a portion of Highway 89 into a “complete street” design that will be relinquished to Placer County after construction.

The project, which will include three new roundabouts, is scheduled to be completed in summer 2018. The $30.1 million construction contract, which also includes building the Dollar Hill shared-use path adjacent to Highway 28, was awarded to Martin Brothers Construction.