sawmill road

Right turn restrictions during peak travel days in Meyers approved by committee, on to supervisors

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - As most in the South Lake Tahoe and Meyers area already know, getting out of town over US50 and Echo Summit on Sundays and holidays can be slow moving during summer, but during the winter it can be a miserable time both for visitors and locals.

Meyers traffic meeting to discuss possible right turn restrictions this winter

Event Date: 
August 5, 2020 - 9:00am

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. Calif. - Traffic leaving South lake Tahoe through Meyers on Sundays and holidays through the winter can be a nightmare. Map apps lead visitors onto roads that are steeper and not plowed as much as US50, thus creating hazards and clogged roads. Tow trucks are backlogged hours to assist getting the stuck vehicles off Apache, Mandan, North Upper Truckee and Sawmill Roads.

Due to these jammed roads, residents in the area cannot to get to work or the grocery store, and a Traffic Advisory Committee was formed to seek solutions.

Snow brings a mess to roads around South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The latest storm hit quickly Sunday morning, bringing snow to South Lake Tahoe area roads and, with those, chain controls, traffic issues and collisions.

Drivers heading west over Echo Summit have been attempting short cuts through Lake Tahoe Blvd., Mandan Street, Sawmill Road and North Upper Truckee, and because of that they are creating a mess with double parking as they put on chains and blocking the roadway.

No planned weekend traffic relief in Meyers this winter

MEYERS, Calif. - Residents attending the El Dorado County Town Hall meeting in Meyers on Thursday didn't hear what they wanted to about the upcoming winter and any plans that could be put in place to alleviate traffic jams in neighborhoods.

As is the case with all meetings concerning traffic in Meyers, there were several audience members with ideas from instituting maximum vehicles allowed in the Lake Tahoe Basin to turn restrictions and road closures during specific hours.

Lake Tahoe and Sierra area roadwork 10/27 - 11/1/19

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is wrapping up their 2019 road projects in the Sierra and on the California side of Lake Tahoe.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Lake Tahoe and Sierra area roadwork October 20 - 26

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is conducting work on Lake Tahoe and Sierra highways. The following are their current projects for the week of October 13-19, 2019.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected this fall or spring 2020.

Sierra and Lake Tahoe area roadwork October 13 - 19

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is conducting work on Lake Tahoe and Sierra highways. The following are their current projects for the week of October 13-19, 2019.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected this fall or spring 2020.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork October 6 - 12

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is conducting work on Lake Tahoe and Sierra highways. The following are their current projects for the week of Octber 6-11, 2019.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Fatal crash involving gas tanker in South Lake Tahoe

Update 10:00 p.m. - One person has died after the tanker truck they were driving on Highway 50 just west of South Lake Tahoe collided with the Upper Truckee River bridge near Elks Club Road.

The preliminary investigation shows that at 11:55 a.m. on Saturday, September 7 the driver of a Toyota Prius was making a right turn from Elks Club Road onto Highway 50 when he pulled out in front of the eastbound truck. According to CHP South Lake Tahoe Commander Terry Lowther, the driver of the Pruis violated the truck driver's right-of-way.

Caltrans: Plan ahead for your 4th of July and Celebrity Golf trips to Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The next two weeks will be some of the busiest days for South Lake Tahoe due to two of the area's highly attended summer occasions. The best way to enjoy travel both for locals and visitors is to plan ahead and know what to expect.

Starting with the 4th of July holiday, expect heavier than normal traffic on roads to, from and around Lake Tahoe Wednesday-Sunday. Caltrans work on their area projects will be suspended during that duration with roadwork resuming Monday, July 8.

Pilot full closure program on two roads in Meyers to help address traffic issues

El Dorado County unveiled their pilot plan Tuesday evening, one that is designed to help alleviate traffic congestion on Meyer's back roads during two holiday weekends this summer.

El Dorado County Department of Transportation (EDCDOT) Director Rafael Martinez joined other staff members in presenting the traffic congestion circulation alternative to the approximately 25 people in attendance. There will be a hard closure in place on Sawmill Road near Highway 50, and on North Upper Truckee near Highway 50 during the July 4th and Labor Day holiday weekends as part of a pilot project.

Road closures planned to alleviate South Lake Tahoe and Meyers holiday traffic woes

Event Date: 
June 18, 2019 - 6:00pm

In anticipation of traffic congestion during the upcoming 4th of July and Labor Day holidays, El Dorado County (EDC) is hosting a public meeting to discuss traffic control measures in the Lake Tahoe Basin on Tuesday, June 18 at 6:00 p.m. at the California Conservation Corps building.

El Dorado County Department of Transportation (EDCDOT) will present a traffic congestion circulation alternative that officially and temporarily closes portions of both Sawmill Road and North Upper Truckee at Highway 50.

70th Anniversary of the Wagon Train through South Lake Tahoe Sunday

Event Date: 
June 2, 2019 (All day)

The Highway 50 Wagon Train will once again traverse the Sierra this week, just as the pioneers of the 1800s once did. People seeking riches headed west after gold was discovered near Placerville in 1849, but their routes were varied as very few had traveled that direction before them.

Dale Sare Memorial Optimist Kids FIshing Derby at Sawmill Pond

Event Date: 
June 1, 2019 - 8:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Dale Sare Memorial Optimist Kids' Fishing Derby at Sawmill Pond will be held on Saturday, June 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The South Lake Tahoe Optimist Club is hosting the annual fishing derby which is free for kids 14-years-old and younger. Fishing tackle and bait is available for use. There will be free, expert guidance from Tahoe Fly Fishing.

A free fish cleaning table is also available.

Hot dogs, chips and lemonade will be provided.

CHP to continue testing electronic closure of roads in Meyers

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) electronic closure testing on two roads in the Meyers area this weekend is working but a glitch in the system will continue to direct visitors in the area through neighborhoods as they make their way west towards Sacramento and the Bay Area.

CHP advises motorists to not travel to Lake Tahoe this weekend

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The stories of 10-15 hours to get to Lake Tahoe from the Bay Area on Friday were not isolated, and many of the repeat reports are occurring on Saturday.

Epic ski conditions have beckoned visitors to the mountains over the three-day holiday weekend, but what created those ski conditions has also caused local roads that aren't passable and clogged highways with frequent closures.

Travel restrictions placed on two roads in Meyers to test electronic closures

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has created electronic closures on two roads in Meyers ahead of a snowy, crowded three-day holiday weekend in Lake Tahoe.

Two of the culprits in recent standstill traffic jams as visitors depart Lake Tahoe at the end of a weekend are electronically closed until Monday, February 18 at 9:00 p.m.

Closures of Sawmill Road and North Upper Truckee were initiated by the CHP in Meyers, then uploaded by Caltrans onto Waze, Google and other maps systems used on cellphones.

Letter: Agencies alert public on what they're doing to alleviate traffic leaving South Lake Tahoe

The following is a letter created by the four agencies currently working together to try and find a solution to the traffic problem in Meyers as visitors exit Lake Tahoe after a weekend. A public meeting was held on Friday night and that story will be carried on Saturday.

Restoration of Upper Truckee River planned near Lake Tahoe Golf Course; Public comment ends July 30

There are just two days left for the public to comment on a proposed restoration project of the Upper Truckee River that runs adjacent to the Lake Tahoe Golf Course and Washoe Meadows State Park.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork July 22-28

The following is a list of the Caltrans roadwork projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin and El Dorado County for the week of July 22 - 28, 2018.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Optimist Club hosts annual Fishing Derby in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
June 2, 2018 - 8:00am

The South Lake Tahoe Optimist Club is holding their annual Fishing Derby at Sawmill Pond on June 2 from 8:00 a.m. to noon.

This event is free for all children 14-years-old and younger.

Fishing tackle and bait are available for free, or participants can bring their own. Tahoe Fly Fishing will be on hand with their expert guidance on how to catch the best fish.

There will also be a fishing cleaning table available as well as help in all fishing activities.

Hot dogs, lemonade and chips will be provided.

Meyers traffic plan has some success after first weekend

If you drive through Meyers on a Sunday you've most likely come across gridlock traffic through the neighborhoods as vehicles trying to head west after their South Lake Tahoe weekend look for the quickest route, courtesy of smart phone apps.

El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel held a Town Hall meeting on February 28, providing a forum for residents, law enforcement and staff to discuss solutions. One suggestion that came out of that meeting was put into place on Sunday, March 4 and was fairly successful.

Holiday traffic and slick roads keeping tow trucks and law enforcement busy

North Upper Truckee and Sawmill Road have become parking lots Monday afternoon, reminiscent of 2017's problems of ill-equipped vehicles on snow covered back roads.

The California Highway Patrol and El Dorado County Sheriff's Office have spent Monday responding to several calls in the Meyers area of cars stuck on side roads as they attempt to circumvent the backlog of traffic on Highway 50.

Along with those issues there have been several accidents and as of 3:30 p.m, State Route 88 may have to close due to a crash

Annual Wagon Train skips South Lake Tahoe this year

For 67 years the annual re-creation of the historic wagon train rides across the Sierra Nevada has gone through South Lake Tahoe as they made their way to Placerville, but this year they are skipping the City.

What is best solution to keep visitors leaving Lake Tahoe on Highway 50 and not on side streets?

It's another snowy weekend, and another weekend of drivers trying to head home over Echo Summit via Lake Tahoe Blvd and North Upper Truckee Road. With a backup at the chain control stop in Meyers, many are trying to circumvent not only the traffic, but the controls and causing issues on snow covered side roads.

Flooding closing South Lake Tahoe area roads

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. - El Dorado County has closed Lake Tahoe Blvd at Sawmill Pond due to flooding just before 11:00 a.m. It is closed in both directions according to the California Highway Patrol with over two feet of water on the roadway. They are expecting the flooding to spread in the area.

South Lake Tahoe Police Department is assisting with signage going up to warn travelers.

12:52 p.m. Sunday update - Highway 50 at Sierra at Tahoe Blvd is experiencing flooding. Reports of high water at Apache Drive in Meyers by the Post Office, and Lake Tahoe Blvd around Angora Creek.

Dilapidated building torn down, property restoration to begin

An old, blue building on the corner of Highway 50 and Sawmill Road adjacent to the Upper Truckee River is being demolished, and the sensitive land it sits on will be restored to natural wetlands.

The building is near the site of the historic Ethel's Pie Shop.

The 1.05 acre parcel was acquired by the California Tahoe Conservancy under its Tahoe Livable Communities Program in December 2015.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork September 11-17, 2016

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to just north of Granlibakken Road in Tahoe City that is upgrading storm water drainage and treatment systems, adding curb and gutter, resurfacing and realigning the road, adding new left-turn pockets and widening shoulders on an 8-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected by summer 2017.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork August 28 - September 3

Most lane closures will be restricted from 6 a.m. Friday, September 2 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 6 because of the Labor Day holiday weekend.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

State Route 89 (Placer County): Work continues on a $70.1 million project from Tahoma to just north of Granlibakken Road in Tahoe City that is upgrading storm water drainage and treatment systems, adding curb and gutter, resurfacing and realigning the road, adding new left-turn pockets and widening shoulders on an 8-mile stretch of the highway. Completion is expected by summer 2017.

Lake Tahoe area roadwork schedule June 5 - June 11

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

June 5-10 - State Route 89 (Placer County) from Mankato Place to Granlibakken Road: Motorists can expect one-way traffic control at various locations around the clock from 10 p.m. Sunday until 11 a.m. Friday for drainage work and curb and gutter construction.

June 6-9 - State Route 89 (El Dorado County) from Meeks Creek to Wilson Avenue: Motorists can expect one-way traffic control at various locations from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday for pavement fog sealing.

Prescribed fire operations may continue at Lake Tahoe

Prescribed burns are slated to continue this week, weather permitting. The Nevada Division of State Lands, the Nevada Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service are scheduled to begin fire operations on Monday, May 23, 2016 on both the Northeast and South shores of Lake Tahoe.

South Shore: Burning may take place off Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Sawmill Road, off Panther Lane near the west end of Gardner Mountain and off Santa Claus Drive and West River Parkway near Christmas Valley.

Northeast Shore: Near Incline Village in the Rocky Point area along Tunnel Creek Road.

Fire agencies to continue prescribed burns around Lake Tahoe

Taking advantage of favorable burning conditions, the Lake Valley Fire Protection District and the U.S. Forest Service have planned to conduct prescribed fire operations next week on the South Shore beginning Monday, May 16, 2016.

Burning operations are scheduled to take place in four locations:

Northeast of the Lake Tahoe Airport near Barbara Avenue
Off Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Sawmill Road
Off Panther Lane near the west end of Gardner Mountain
Off Santa Claus Drive and West River Parkway near Christmas Valley

Prescribed burns to continue in Lake Tahoe basin

Prescribed fire operations are planned to continue this week on the east and south shores of Lake Tahoe.

The U.S. Forest Service, the Nevada Division of State Lands and the Nevada Division of Forestry will start the fire operations on Monday, May 2, weather permitting.

South Shore: Near Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Sawmill Road, Panther Lane near South Tahoe High School, off Highway 89 near Spring Creek, and off Santa Claus Drive and West River Parkway near Christmas Valley.

Prescribed burns to continue in Lake Tahoe basin

Weather permitting, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District and the U.S. Forest Service have scheduled prescribed fire operations again this week, starting April 25.

East Shore: Near Spooner Summit, Camp Galilee and on Kingsbury Grade near Edgewood Drive.

South Shore: Near Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Sawmill Road, Panther Lane near South Tahoe High School, off Highway 89 near Spring Creek, and off Santa Claus Drive and West River Parkway near Christmas Valley.

Prescribed burns on south and east shores of Lake Tahoe this week

Weather permitting, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, the Nevada Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service are schedule to continue prescribed fire operations starting Monday, April 18, 2016.

East Shore: Burning planned on the north side of Spooner Lake off Highway 28, Spooner Summit, Camp Galilee and on Kingsbury Grade near Edgewood Drive.

South Shore: Burning planned near Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Sawmill Road, Panther Lane near South Tahoe High School, off Highway 89 near Spring Creek, and off Santa Claus Drive and West River Parkway near Christmas Valley.

Prescribed burns continue in Lake Tahoe basin

Weather permitting, California State Parks, the Nevada Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service are scheduled to continue prescribed fire operations beginning Monday, April 11, 2016.

On the North Shore - 10 acres at Burton Creek State Park.

On the East Shore - 32 acres at Sand Harbor, 28 acres at Spooner Summit and 200 acres at Camp Galilee.

Prescribed burns continuing in Lake Tahoe basin

Prescribed fire operations are set to continue this week in the Lake Tahoe Basin, as long as the weather allows burning. California State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service have projects planned near Burton Creek, Sugar Pine Point and D.L. Bliss state parks. On the East Shore, operations are scheduled to take place on Spooner Summit and near Camp Galilee. On the South Shore, operations may take place near Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Sawmill Road, Panther Lane near South Tahoe High School and off Highway 89 near Spring Creek.

Widespread prescribed burns to continue around Lake Tahoe

Weather permitting, the Nevada Division of Forestry and the U.S Forest Service are planning on continuing their prescribed fire operations next week beginning Monday, February 29, 2016.

On the East Shore, operations are scheduled to take place near Logan Shoals Vista Point, Camp Galilee, Spooner Summit and Sand Harbor.

On the South Shore, operations are scheduled to take place near Spring Creek, Panther Road, and Lake Tahoe Boulevard near Sawmill Road.

Meyers connects to South Lake Tahoe with Class 1 bike trail

The final portion of the Class 1 bike trail network between Meyers and South Lake Tahoe was formally opened Wednesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Members of the El Dorado County project team were on hand along with current Area 5 Supervisor Sue Novasel and former Supervisor Norma Santiago. Partner agency staff were also there to celebrate the completion.

Ribbon cutting ceremony for newest South Lake Tahoe bike path

Event Date: 
October 14, 2015 - 3:00pm

The newest multi-use trail connecting Lake Tahoe Blvd and Highway 50 will officially open with a dedication ceremony at 3 p.m. on October 14.

District Five County Supervisor Sue Novasel, the communities of South Lake Tahoe and Meyers and the Transportation Division of the County of El Dorado's Community Development Agency invite all interested parties to a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the final connection of the Class 1 bicycle and multi-use path network connecting the communities of Meyers and South Lake Tahoe.

South Shore projects win TRPA's Best in Basin Awards

Several South Lake Tahoe projects were awarded this week by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) as being the "Best in the Basin" for demonstrating exceptional planning, design, and compatibility with Lake Tahoe’s environment and communities.

The projects that were recognized upgraded highways, built new bike trails, improved water quality, restored environmentally-sensitive areas, remodeled blighted commercial buildings, and created defensible space for better wildfire protection.

The Best in the Basin award winners are:

Sawmill Road to be closed for construction of 1.2 mile Class 1 bicycle path

A portion of Sawmill Road will be closed this summer in order as El Dorado County completes a 1.2 mile, Class 1 bicycle and multi-use path that will connect the existing path to the road's intersection with Highway 50.

Work will be done by the County's Transportation Division beginning on June 29 and ending on August 21, 2015.

Motorists will need to use Lake Tahoe Boulevard to access the western section of Sawmill Road in lieu of the Highway 50 route during the closure.

Flash flooding in Douglas County

Douglas County Emergency Management responded to flash flooding in the Ruhenstroth, Fish Springs, East Valley and Pine Nut areas on Wednesday after receiving several calls after heavy rainfall.

The areas mostly impacted are in the Ruhenstroth area, where there is property damage in the Sawmill and Arroyo Road areas. There are currently nine properties with damage that have been reported. There are active flows of water continuing in the dip sections but the main push of water that reached the canal west of Sawmill Road is now receding.

Forest Service watching controlled burn areas

There were several reports of visible smoke Thursday in areas around recent Lake Tahoe controlled burns, and there was more concern with the high winds.

The Forest Service has crews monitoring the locations, especially those near Spooner Summit and Sawmill Road.

At this time there are no burns out of control and with the expected rain and snow Thursday night and Friday morning, concerns should ease.

Free Kids Fishing Day in South Lake Tahoe Saturday

Event Date: 
June 7, 2014 - 8:00am

The annual Dale Sare Memorial Optimist Club Fishing Derby will be held on Saturday, June 7 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Sawmill Pond in South Lake Tahoe. Fishing is free to all children up to age 14. In addition, the Optimist Club will be hosting a free raffle to give children and opportunity to win prizes.

Fishing tackle and bait will be provided for anyone who does not have their own.

Volunteers will be on hand to clean fish that are caught that day. The pond is at the corner of Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Sawmill Road in El Dorado County.

Work begins on Sawmill Road bike path

Construction season has started in South Lake Tahoe and local bicyclists can look forward to bike tours on a newly created and paved path this summer.The El Dorado County Department of Transport...

Work begins on Sawmill Road bike path

Construction season has started in South Lake Tahoe and local bicyclists can look forward to bike tours on a newly created and paved path this summer.The El Dorado County Department of Transport...

Wind gusts snap trees through South Lake Tahoe area

Gusty winds whipped through South Lake Tahoe Thursday afternoon, snapping trees into cars, homes and power lines. No injuries were reported.
The driver of a Subaru escaped injury after a tree slammed into her car as she was driving on Highway 50 near Sawmill Road at about 3 p.m.
The driver told authorities that she saw a large tree begin to fall but could not veer from the wesbound lane to the eastbound lane or else she would hit oncoming traffic. Damage to her car included a shattered windshield and smashed hood.

Sawmill Road bike path weeks from breaking ground

Syndicate content