Planning for improving transportation systems in North Tahoe moves forward

June 27, 2019

Placer County took a step forward on developing sustainable transportation strategies in the North Lake Tahoe region with the Board of Supervisors voting Tuesday to negotiate a professional services agreement with Kittleson & Associates Inc. to draft the Resort Triangle Transportation Plan.

The plan will be funded from the state’s Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account - Sustainable Communities Grant Program, established with revenue from California’s 2017 gas tax measure, Senate Bill 1. This funding became available in October 2018, which is when the county started seeking project proposals. 

The Resort Triangle Transportation Plan is intended to provide a vision and implementation plan for a cohesive, multi-modal transportation system along North Lake Tahoe’s three main transportation corridors, state Routes 28, 89 and 267, and adjacent communities.

Specifically, it will address transportation programs for congested corridors, transportation demand management, vehicle trip reduction, vehicle miles traveled reductions and parking management.

The county is currently developing a stakeholder group  to seek input and coordinate current and future transportation planning efforts, including partner agencies such as Placer County Transportation Planning Agency, Tahoe Transportation Division, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Town of Truckee, Nevada County Transportation Commission, Truckee North Tahoe Transportation Management Association, Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transportation, Caltrans, California Highway Patrol, North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, special districts and others. 

Initial stakeholder engagement is expected to start early this fall, followed by a first community workshop in early 2020.

“While we have already made significant headway on transportation improvements in the ‘Resort Triangle’ area, this funding availability will truly move the needle on implementing smart sustainable transportation initiatives," said Placer County Department of Public Works Assistant Director Peter Kraatz. “This plan will bring all the stakeholders to the table and ensure we are collectively accomplishing the mobility goals of our region.” 

Placer County applied for the grant in February 2018. Developing the plan is expected to cost $680,000, including Placer’s required $80,000 in local match funds.