Big changes are coming to our streets this summer. At a recent townhall hosted by Supervisor Cindy Gustafson, Placer County Public Works and Caltrans laid out what we can expect — and what we should plan for — with major construction on highways and local roads. Watch the recording on YouTube.
Yes, there will be delays. But there’s also opportunity — especially if we stay focused on the small, smart projects that serve the people who live and work here every day.
At Strong North Tahoe, we support fixing what we have and making streets safer — not just for cars, but for people.
🚸 Let’s Start With What’s Missing: Safe Routes for Locals
If you live in Kings Beach or Tahoe Vista, you already know: walking or biking to school, to work, or to get groceries can be dangerous. Many residents — especially Spanish-speaking families — don’t have cars, or rely on one shared vehicle.
But Highway 28, our main street, feels more like a highway than a neighborhood. Biking is scary and unsafe, sidewalks are spotty, and there’s no safe way to walk across town with a stroller, groceries, or your kid.
We’re glad the County is doing pavement repairs and trail work — those help. But we need more. We need real investments in walkable, people-first infrastructure:
- Sidewalks where people live
- Safe crossings for kids walking to school
- Protected bike lanes, not just recreational trails
- Transit and access designed around people who live here, not just visitors
👷 What’s Actually Happening This Summer?
Highway 28 (Tahoe City to Stateline):
- Broadband installation + full repaving
- Some sections will be rebuilt from the ground up
- Delays up to 30 minutes expected through June
Fanny Bridge Replacement (Tahoe City):
- Full closure starts August 11 for 12 weeks
- Detour through Lake Blvd
- Pedestrian path and local businesses will stay open
Highway 89 & 267 Projects:
- Work starts next week for paving and broadband
- Expect weekday delays — but less than last year
Local Fixes and Upgrades by Placer County:
- Drainage improvements and pavement repairs using a small paver
- GPS upgrades to the “Where’s My Plow?” app for real-time winter tracking
- New parking lot at the Lower Sawtooth Trailhead (Truckee)
- North Tahoe Trail (Tahoe Vista to Carnelian Bay) construction starts fall 2025
- Grove Street access improvements in Tahoe City
These are all good signs. We especially applaud the County for doing small-scale, practical projects — these are what Strong Towns calls “incremental investments” and they tend to serve us better than big one-time “transformations.”
🚴 Biking on Highway 28: Still Not Safe
Even with trail projects moving forward, biking along Highway 28 is still very dangerous.
- There are no bike lanes through the commercial core
- Speeds remain high
- Drivers often don’t expect people on bikes
We urge the County and Caltrans to take this seriously. Trails are great for visitors on weekends. But people who live here need safe, everyday bike infrastructure — not just shoulder space.
If we’re rebuilding Highway 28 anyway, now’s the time to make it safer.
🅿️ Smarter Parking in Kings Beach
The County’s parking program is expanding this summer:
- Paid parking at the Brook Avenue and Christmas Tree lots
- License plate readers to help with turnover in time-limited spaces
- A stakeholder group is helping shape future changes
This approach — managing what we already have, not just building more lots — lines up with Strong Towns principles. We hope revenue from this program will support sidewalk upgrades, safe crossings, and better signage.
🔥 Emergency Evacuation and Safety
Agencies made clear that during wildfire or other emergencies, all roads will be opened immediately for evacuation, even if construction is underway. That’s a relief — and we’ll keep watching to make sure that stays a top priority.
💬 Our Take: Fix What Matters. Focus on People.
There’s a lot happening this summer, and we’re glad to see forward motion. But here’s what we want to make sure decision-makers keep hearing:
✅ Fixing existing infrastructure is the right call.
✅ Small, local improvements often give the best return.
✅ Safe streets are about people — not just vehicles.
✅ Residents need year-round walking and biking options that feel safe.
✅ Our Spanish-speaking neighbors in Kings Beach and Tahoe Vista deserve equal access to safe routes.
If we want to be a place where local families, workers, and kids can thrive, we have to build for them — not just for cars, or tourists passing through.
✅ What You Can Do
📲 Check real-time road conditions at QuickMap
📬 Sign up for traffic alerts and newsletters from Placer County
🚶♀️ Join our Safe & Productive Streets Working Group
📣 Reach out to Supervisor Gustafson’s office and share what you need to feel safe walking or biking. Email: [email protected]
Let’s Build a North Tahoe That Works for Everyone
Strong North Tahoe is here to advocate for streets that work for people. That means sidewalks, crossings, and bike lanes that are actually useful — not just scenic. It means parking that supports a thriving local economy, not clogs our streets. It means construction that fixes real needs, not just flashy projects for visitors.
Let’s keep the conversation going. Together, we can make Kings Beach, Tahoe Vista, and all of North Tahoe safer, more connected, and more livable.
👉 Join us and help build a Strong Town here in the mountains we call home.
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