To the community,

Caltrans District 3 is developing a safety project that proposes to construct a roundabout at the intersection of highways 50 and 89 in Meyers beginning in 2018. The department has looked at several options at this location and has identified a roundabout as the preferred alternative to address safety concerns and improve traffic flow.

Caltrans staff members have been meeting regularly with El Dorado County and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency representatives to gather their feedback on the project and to ensure that it is in line with the draft Meyers Area Plan, which identifies a need for improvements at this intersection, and the Meyers Corridor Project.

Studies have shown that roundabouts:
• Are safer than signalized intersections
• Reduce frequency and severity of crashes
• Reduce traffic delays/increase traffic capacity
• Can slow excessive traffic speeds while still improving traffic flow
• Reduce long-term operational costs
• Are more environmentally friendly than traditional intersections due to less vehicle emissions, fuel use and noise
• Are more aesthetically pleasing than stop signs or traffic signals

Roundabouts in the Lake Tahoe area are currently in use on highways 89 and 267 in Truckee and Highway 28 in Kings Beach. Three additional roundabouts are being built on Highway 89 in Tahoe City over the next two years.

Caltrans looks forward to presenting its Meyers project to the community and gathering feedback at an open house later this year as we continue through the project development process.

For more information on the benefits of roundabouts, go online.

Steve Nelson, Caltrans public information officer