Marathon events expected to slow weekend traffic in basin

Drivers in the Lake Tahoe Basin should expect a few inconveniences this weekend because of Lake Tahoe Marathon events.

On Sept. 25 is the Great Lake Tahoe 72 Mile Bike Race that starts and finishes at Zephyr Cove. Anticipate the peloton coming across the state line into California from the start in Zephyr Cove about 7:15am. The California Highway Patrol will lead them through South Lake Tahoe and arrive at the Y about 7:35am before heading up Emerald Bay.

Try to avoid Highway 89 north between 7:30 and 8:30am as there will be some slow going. Race officials also advise avoiding traveling from Tahoe City around the East Shore to intersection of highways 28 and 50 between 8:30 and 9:30am.

Marathon Sunday, Sept. 26, will see Emerald Bay Road closed at 7am at Spring Creek. Camp Richardson and Fallen Leaf Lake Road will remain open all the time. Highway 89 will reopen northbound at about 1:30pm. Southbound remains open, but slow and with delays, south from Tahoe City.

Traffic between Tahoe City, Homewood, and Tahoma should be clear in both directions by 10am. The leaders will leave Commons Beach in Tahoe City at 8am.