District upgrades bus stops at South Lake Tahoe

The operator of BlueGo, the South Lake Tahoe area public transportation system, has installed four new bus shelters and will put up three more in spring to provide riders safety, convenience and comfort.
The Tahoe Transportation District announced that three new BlueGo bus shelters have been installed on the California side on Highway 50, one near the intersection of Pioneer Trail; two serving both the east and westbound stops near Wildwood Ave; the fourth on Ski Run Blvd near Paradise Ave.

Three additional shelters are planned for winter 2012, weather permitting, on the Carson Valley side of Kingsbury Grade. Tahoe Transportation District has scheduled installation of additional shelters along various routes over the next three years. In California, sites selected will be dependent on available right of way and in coordination with Caltrans existing and planned construction projects.

The pre-fabricated structures provide sheltered seating and protection from the inclement weather while increasing the visibility and accessibility of the transit system, according to the release. Shelters were constructed and installed by Thomas Haen Company, a general contracting firm in South Lake Tahoe, with Sacramento-based Wood Rodgers responsible for design and engineering. The total unit cost is $17,200, compared to $75,000 - $100,000 in nearby areas for a different type of shelter.

The shelters designed with benches and canopies vary in size and design ranging from 14 feet x 6 feet and 9 feet x 4.75 feet. Each is set up for future wiring to facilitate the future implementation of real-time passenger information technology.

Since assuming overall management of BlueGo in November 2010, Tahoe Transportation District dramatically improved operating efficiencies in the fiscal year 2011 by adjusting the number of hours operated and miles traveled while ridership and farebox revenue both increased. As the BlueGo system has now achieved sustainability, future efforts will focus on continually improving passenger services.

"The shelters will provide added safety and comfort for riders and increased visibility for easy access to the system,” said Carl Hasty, District Manager of the Tahoe Transportation District. “This project is one component of many in our overall plan to interconnect transportation networks around the Basin and integrate mass transit with walking, hiking and biking trails.”

One of TTD’s primary goals is to reduce emissions and runoff into the Lake. Studies have indicated that up to 70 percent of fine particulate runoff into Lake Tahoe is a by-product of transportation systems throughout the Basin, according to a news release.
TTD is responsible for the overall implementation and management of transportation projects and programs at Tahoe, including:

Planned 2012 Construction
Incline Gateway – installing a one-way, “roundabout” (traffic flows around an island without stop signs/signals) to enhance safety where SR 28 meets SR 431.
Tahoe Lakeview Bike Trail, South Demonstration Project – developing a 3.2-mile route between Stateline and Round Hill at South Shore, part of an eventual 43-mile segment along U.S. Highway 50 on the east shore.

Under Consideration
— Tahoe Lakeview Bike Trail – connecting existing trail segments with approximately 162 miles of new construction to decrease private car use with safer, improved biking and walking choices.
US 50/South Shore Community Revitalization Project – evaluating options to enhance safety and reduce traffic flow by realigning Highway 50 at Stateline on the Nevada side to provide two lanes in each direction along Lake Parkway, and converting the existing route to a three-lane local street.

— State Route 89/Fanny Bridge Community Revitalization Project – considering ways to integrate solutions for present and future travel demand in Tahoe City while protecting the historic bridge.
Lake Tahoe Aquabus - reviewing passenger ferry service as a reliable, accessible and time-efficient transit alternative between the north and south shores.

— State Route 28 National Scenic Byway - evaluating options to streamline traffic flow to improve safety and enhance environmental and recreational assets near Sand Harbor Beach, between Incline Village and U.S. Highway 50.

For information visit www.TahoeTransportation.org or call (775) 589-5500.