On Thursday, November 15, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board voted unanimously to certify the environmental document and approve Alternative B for the US Highway 50 South Shore Community Revitalization Project, aka the “Loop Road.”

The most common question we’ve heard since that action is “What happens next?”

There are actually four concurrent actions getting underway.

• The Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) plans to partner with a private developer on the planning and construction of the first phase of affordable resident housing required as part of project mitigation. Those to be relocated from the eventual new highway right-of-way will have the first right of refusal to move into the new housing.
• Now that there’s an approved project, the TTD can accelerate efforts to secure funding for all phases of the multi-faceted, multi-year project.
• Work is expected to start in January to develop a Main Street Management Plan, another required project mitigation. This plan will address the design and functionality of what is currently Highway 50 through the project area once it is no longer part of the US highway system, when it becomes a local multi-modal “complete street” under local management.
• Work now begins on final project design. This process is expected to take a minimum of 18 months.

Additional Facts

The boundaries of the project are from a point just west of the current Pioneer Trail/US 50 intersection east to the intersection of US 50 and Lake Parkway. All eligible property owners, residents, and business owners to be relocated from the new highway alignment will receive a compensation package consistent with the requirements of the federal Uniform Act. The Tahoe Transportation District Board of Directors has committed to ensure a relocation for all affected parties before any construction begins on the new US 50 alignment. Additionally, the TTD has committed to facilitate the construction of additional affordable resident housing beyond the 109 units required as project mitigation. Additional units are not required of the project and may be constructed separately within the south shore area. The TTD’s focus on new housing will be “transit-oriented development” (TOD).

The development of both the Main Street Management Plan and project final design will involve the City of South Lake Tahoe and Douglas County, TRPA, TTD, community organizations, utility providers, private property owners, residents, and business owners in the project area, and the public. Once it’s completed, the TRPA Governing Board must approve the proposed Main Street Management Plan before it can be implemented.

On behalf of our members and consistent with our adopted Vision 2020, Tahoe Chamber will remain actively engaged as the project moves forward.