3 miles of bike trail may be built near Stateline this year

By Kathryn Reed

STATELINE — Construction on the Stateline-to-Stateline bike route may begin this year if permitting goes through and funding is secured.

The 3.2-mile segment that could be built this year is out for public comment – a necessity of environment documents being prepared by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and U.S. Forest Service. This section would go from the casino area at Stateline to about 0.3 miles north of the entrance of Round Hill Pines Beach.

Ultimately, the Stateline-to-Stateline trail will go from the California-Nevada state line at Stateline to the California-Nevada state line in Crystal Bay.

Part of Rabe Meadow may be incorporated into the Stateline-to-Stateline bike trail. Photo/Kathryn Reed

Public hearings about the project started last week. The first was Jan. 20 before the Douglas County Commission. The next day the Tahoe Transportation District board was briefed on the plan. On Feb. 3, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board will take public comment.

Nancy McDermid, county commissioner and TTD board member, said the county is behind the project.

Comments may also be submitted in writing by Feb. 14 to Garrett Villanueva, assistant forest engineer, U.S. Forest Service LTBMU, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150-4500.

The goal is to have the final document completed in the spring, with permitting to begin shortly thereafter.

Several routes were looked at, with a shoreline route ruled out because of private property issues.

Two main routes are part of the documents under review. One parallels Highway 50 on the mountain side. The other crosses Rabe Meadow, merging with the Watah Trail for a short while, before meandering around Round Hill.

Proposals call for more parking at Kahle Drive and Highway 50, along with signage, bike racks, picnic tables and restrooms.

Patrick Rhamey, director of real estate development for Edgewood Companies, said golf course officials support the project, but talks are not finalized.

“Our board will have to take action if an easement is requested,” Rhamey told the TTD board on Feb. 21.

More information about the proposed project is online.