Caltrans is beginning work on Highway 89 from Tahoma to Tahoe City to upgrade stormwater drainage systems and natural gas pipelines, and improve traffic safety. Motorists are asked to allow a few minutes of extra driving time in some areas. No delays are expected during summer weekends.

Stormwater projects designed to help protect lake water quality include rehabilitating drainage and treatment systems, installing runoff collection and treatment, and adding curb and gutters.

To improve traffic safety, workers will realign the road, lower natural gas pipelines, widen shoulders to allow bicycles and places for cars to pull out of traffic, move the existing bike trail, lengthen existing left-turn pockets and continuous left turn lanes, and construct new left turn lanes at Gray Avenue, Moana Circle, McKinney Rubicon Springs Road, Ward Avenue, Sunnyside Lane, Olympic Drive (north), Granlibakken Road, and the proposed entrance to Tahoe City Transit Center.

The project will require removing some trees to improve driver visibility and provide wider shoulders. Caltrans worked closely with TRPA, Placer County, the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board and the California Tahoe Conservancy to develop plans that preserve as many trees as possible while also achieving the necessary environmental and safety improvements.

Construction is funded by stormwater improvement funds, and will last through five construction seasons until October 2016.