Project will transform transportation, mobility, and safety on the State Route 28 Corridor
Lake Tahoe/Stateline, Nev. — The Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) are announcing the awarding of a $24 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant to TTD to improve the State Route 28 Corridor along Tahoe’s East Shore. U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) pushed to secure this funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with the assistance and support from the TRPA and 12 partner agencies under the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP).
This pivotal federal funding will support implementation of the next phase of the State Route 28 Corridor Management Plan from Sand Harbor State Park to Thunderbird Cove, one of the most visited recreation corridors in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The multi-benefit project will improve water quality, enhance public safety, provide equitable recreation access, and reduce roadway congestion, according to TTD and TRPA. Bringing forward improvements that make it easier to recreate at Tahoe without a private vehicle is fundamental to the Regional Transportation Plan and the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan.
“Securing the $24 million RAISE grant marks a significant advancement in delivering safe and sustainable transportation options for both residents and visitors,” said Carl Hasty, District Manager of the Tahoe Transportation District. “By upgrading the 1.75-mile trail from Sand Harbor and addressing the State Route 28 corridor needs, we will greatly enhance mobility, alleviate traffic congestion, and reduce environmental impacts.”
“Tahoe’s East Shore is one of Nevada’s most scenic recreation areas that is important to the regional economy and to ensuring all Nevadans have access to outdoor recreation,” said Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo. “Funding for corridor improvements will greatly improve public safety and promote a healthy and sustainable outdoor recreation economy centered on protecting Nevada’s natural resources.”
“The next phase of the East Shore Corridor project will ensure equitable access to Tahoe’s outdoors while improving safety and protecting the lake’s beauty and clarity,” Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Executive Director Julie Regan said. “The improvements along this corridor are advancing the region’s vision to create a more bikeable and walkable transportation experience while reducing impacts on the environment and our local communities.”
Key project components include:
- Trail Expansion: Extend the 3-mile trail an additional 1.75 miles from Sand Harbor to Thunderbird Cove to provide a safe and scenic route for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Parking Solutions: Develop managed parking solutions in several key segments to keep cars from parking on the highway and improve pedestrian and bike safety.
- Water Quality: Reduce stormwater runoff and erosion on steep slopes and impacted road shoulders to protect the clarity of the lake.
- Improve Transit Access: Increase transit availability in the corridor to decrease cars and congestion.
The project will also implement priority actions in TTD’s Regional Transit Plan and is a funding priority for TRPA in its role as the federally designated Tahoe Metropolitan Planning Organization, or TMPO. The East Shore is just one of Tahoe’s recreation corridors in need of transportation improvements to protect the environment, access, and safety, according to the agencies.
“We are beyond excited that TTD has been awarded a RAISE grant to help extend the East Shore Trail to Thunderbird Cove, and eventually all the way to Spooner Summit,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “It was exactly five years ago this week that 14 partner organizations and hundreds of philanthropic donors came together to open the first stretch of the Trail. Thanks to TTD’s continued support, and now the RAISE grant, the East Shore Trail has become an extraordinary example of the power of public-private partnerships to improve the Lake Tahoe environment for all to enjoy.”
Wesley Rice, Chair of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners and member of the TTD and TRPA Board of Directors said, “Enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities and infrastructure are important investments in the Tahoe Basin economy and support environmental improvements that protect water quality, quality of life for our residents, and quality of the recreation experience for visitors. Douglas County is proud to be one of the founding agencies supporting a recreational trail around the Nevada portion of Lake Tahoe. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners prioritized these trail improvements through its Trails Master Plan. We are grateful to our partners and Congressional delegation for the work they are doing to make this vision a reality.”
“This significant investment in the Tahoe East Shore Trail reaffirms our commitment to preserving Nevada’s natural beauty while enhancing the safety and accessibility of our outdoor spaces. We are grateful to our partners for their unwavering dedication to protecting Lake Tahoe’s natural resources while providing world-class outdoor recreation opportunities.” said Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Director James Settelmeyer.
“These federal dollars will go a long way toward meeting our shared goal of implementing sustainable improvements along the State Route 28 corridor,” said Forest Supervisor, Erick Walker. “As the largest land manager in the Tahoe Basin, we recognize our responsibility to enhance the recreational experience for all who visit Lake Tahoe, while also protecting the land and water.”
For details on Tahoe Transportation District and its current projects, visit www.TahoeTransportation.org or call (775) 589-5500.
Media Contacts:
Tiara Wasner
Public Information Officer
Tahoe Transportation District
twasner@tahoetransportation.org
(775) 589-5504
Jeff Cowen
Public Information Officer
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
jcowen@trpa.gov
(775) 589-5278
#####
About Tahoe Transportation District
The Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) is a bi-state agency responsible for the management and implementation of safe, environmentally sound, multi-modal transportation projects and programs in the Lake Tahoe Region, including transit operations. TTD leads multi-jurisdictional infrastructure projects to make travel safer, improve access to recreation, and reduce traffic congestion and private car use. TTD focuses on transit’s pivotal role in improving air and water quality because more than 70 percent of the pollutants impacting Lake Tahoe’s clarity come from transportation system and built environment run-off. TTD has delivered numerous projects to help reduce environmental impacts and address the high demand residents and visitors place on the region’s transportation infrastructure, including transit solutions, roadway and safety enhancements, water quality improvements, and pedestrian/cyclist paths. For more information, please visit TahoeTransportation.org.
About Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency leads the cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region, while improving local communities, and people’s interactions with our irreplaceable environment.
About Tahoe Metropolitan Planning Organization
As the Tahoe Metropolitan Planning Organization (TMPO), the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) leads transportation planning and funding for the Lake Tahoe Region by managing the Regional Transportation Plan, Federal Transportation Improvement Program, and an Overall Work Plan. Under federal law and the authority of the states of Nevada and California, the TMPO Governing Board is comprised of the TRPA Governing Board with the addition of a voting representative of the USDA Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.