1-mile trail to link North-West shores of Tahoe
By Kathryn Reed
In the 1970s the predominant thinking was a bike trail through Tahoe City was not feasible. By the late 1980s the conceptual design for Lakeside Trail was drawn. In 2010 the final funding piece has been approved for the last 1.1 miles of trail that will connect the existing 17 miles of trails on the North and West shores.
Cindy Gustafson, general manager of Tahoe City Public Utility District, shed tears of joy when she addressed the California Tahoe Conservancy board last month after the funding was approved.
“People use these trails for work, recreation and shopping,” Gustafson said. She has been working on bike trails since joining TCPUD in 1991.
Up to $2.5 million of CTC money has been allocated for the final phase. Bond sales in California will pay for it. Because the money in not in hand, a start date can’t be set.
The North Lake Tahoe Resort Association has put up $1.075 million and another $727,000 is needed for all of the improvements.
If the money does not come this building season, it’s possible bids will be sought in the fall, with construction slated for 2011.
“A boardwalk will enable people to cross streams and go through sensitive areas,” explained Peter Eicher of the CTC.
A 10-foot wide Class 1 trail is planned.
“Some areas of the trail will be constructed using standard trail construction techniques involving the placement of a minimum of 6 inches of aggregate base material with 3 inches of concrete-asphalt. Trail signage and lighting will be included to address public safety,” the staff report says.
Paving stones will be used at intersections with the idea the change in surface will alert users to pay attention ahead. Plus, water can permeate them.
A dirt trail exists now, but it’s rugged enough that people often need to walk their bikes. Plus, it is disrupting the natural vegetation and does not provide for that continuous path for cyclists.
This last section of trail is close to the lake. It’s near the Tahoe City Marina and will link to the campground on the edge of town.
