Agency releases draft active transportation plan for Lake Tahoe

Improving transportation options for bicyclists and pedestrians is one of the most effective strategies to conserve and restore Lake Tahoe’s environment, revitalize the economy, enhance recreation opportunities, and improve public health, according to Tahoe Regional Planning Agency officials.

In its capacity as the Tahoe Metropolitan Planning Organization, TRPA this week released a draft active transportation plan for public review and comment. The plan will help local, state, and federal agencies continue to develop multiple-benefit projects to improve transportation options for bicyclists and pedestrians in the Tahoe Basin.

The Linking Tahoe: Active Transportation Plan identifies high-priority locations for transportation infrastructure upgrades, discusses challenges to project implementation and potential solutions, highlights best practices for roadway design and maintenance, and offers an assortment of actions communities can take to enhance bicycle and pedestrian mobility.

The goal is to build a multi-modal transportation network around Lake Tahoe, connecting trails, sidewalks, bike lanes, and public transit routes so people can safely and efficiently get to school, work, shopping centers, and recreation sites without having to drive a motor vehicle. Local governments have built more than 35 miles of bicycle and pedestrian improvements since the active transportation plan was last updated in 2010.

TRPA and TMPO created the Linking Tahoe: Active Transportation Plan through an extensive public outreach process involving cities, counties, state transportation departments, bicycle advocacy groups, and community members. More than 600 people completed surveys to share their input about bicyclist and pedestrian needs in Lake Tahoe communities.

“Comprehensive public participation from community members and agency stakeholders is the backbone of a successful active transportation plan. We want to plan and build a transportation network that complements how people want to travel, and provide the tools that agencies need to build and maintain our infrastructure,” said Morgan Beryl, a transportation planner at TRPA and lead contributor to the Linking Tahoe: Active Transportation Plan.

The active transportation plan is one of several plans TRPA and TMPO are working to finalize and adopt this year. Together, the plans will form a comprehensive update to the 2012 Regional Transportation Plan. The other plans focus on improving public transit service around Tahoe, improving Tahoe’s highway corridors, and incorporating new technology into the transportation system.

This draft version of the Linking Tahoe: Active Transportation Plan is available at the TRPA offices and online at www.tahoempo.org/ActiveTransportationPlan. TRPA will accept comments about the plan until Feb. 16, 2016. Send comments to Morgan Beryl by email, mberyl@trpa.org, or by mail to TRPA, P.O. Box 5310, Stateline, NV 89449.

“Community feedback is important to help shape the plan and gain support and momentum for implementing components of the plan, like the various trails needed to expand the connectivity of Tahoe’s active transportation network,” said Peter Kraatz, assistant director of public works and facilities for Placer County.

People can also submit comments about the Linking Tahoe: Active Transportation Plan at several upcoming public hearings:

· TRPA Advisory Planning Commission, Feb. 10, 9:30 a.m. at TRPA offices in Stateline, 128 Market St.
· North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council, Feb. 11, 6 p.m. at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach, 8318 N. Lake Blvd.
· Tahoe Transportation Commission, Feb. 12, 9:30 a.m. at the TRPA offices in Stateline, 128 Market St.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency leads the cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region, while improving local communities, and people’s interactions with our irreplaceable environment. For additional information, contact Tom Lotshaw, Public Information Officer, at 775-589-5278.