Kingsbury Grade sink hole growing daily

By Kathryn Reed

The gradual sinking of part of Kingsbury Grade has Nevada transportation officials concerned.

“Our NDOT roadway maintenance staff have been monitoring it numerous times each day to ensure traffic safety and evaluate any changes to the roadway itself,” Meg Ragonese, Nevada Department of Transportation spokeswoman, told Lake Tahoe News. “Safety is our top priority, and if we feel there are any immediate safety concerns to drivers, we will close this section of Kingsbury Grade for safety.”

The troublesome area is on the Carson Valley side of the road near mile marker 4.3. It was first noticed last week.

A drainage pipe and culvert cross under the road at this location.

NDOT is keeping an eye on a growing hazard on Kingsbury Grade. Photo/Lisa Huard

“Roadway sinkholes like this can progress at different rates, based on a number of factors,” Ragonese said.

A sign to the side of the road says “bump.”

“Every time we drive it it is worse,” Lisa Huard told Lake Tahoe News. The South Lake Tahoe resident said it started like a ripple, but now is more pronounced.

NDOT plans to repair the road in the next few weeks. Contract documents are in the works. This will mean Kingsbury Grade at times will be closed to motorists. (About 5,600 vehicles travel on Kingsbury Grade every day.)

Even before this trouble arose NDOT was planning a $5 million erosion control project for this area of Kingsbury Grade in 2019.