Paula Peterson, South Tahoe Now
UPDATE: SUNDAY 1:40PM: From Nevada Department of Transportation: At approximately 6:30 pm Saturday, a large boulder rolled onto westbound Highway 50 in the Glenbrook area of Lake Tahoe, causing a non-injury accident. Nevada Highway Patrol, NDOT and other safety agencies immediately responded.
NDOT plans to contract specialty large equipment to first break apart and then remove the boulder, preliminarily estimated at nine feet wide by six feet high, on Monday. Until the boulder can be removed, one lane of westbound U.S. 50 will remain closed. With westbound travel reduced to one lane, drivers are reminded to drive safely in the area, and to plan a little additional travel time. Work to remove the boulder is anticipated to last through Monday, and potentially Tuesday if needed.
Traffic safety is the Nevada Department of Transportation’s top priority, and the Department has dedicated millions to continuing roadside safety and erosion mitigation projects in the Lake Tahoe area. This summer, NDOT will extend the westbound U.S. 50 Cave Rock to increase traveler safety and help reduce the potential of rockfall onto the roadway in the area.
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A large boulder has rolled down onto Highway 50 on the Lake Tahoe east shore near Logan Creek, causing a dent in the road but no injuries.
The Nevada Highway Patrol was dispatched to the incident at 6:19 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20. Once there they found the boulder, reportedly 8 feet high, that had one lane north of the Cave Rock tunnel in the westbound lane.
One passerby said the boulder was bigger than their Lincoln Navigator, at least six to seven tall.
As of 7:20 p.m., Saturday, the boulder had blocked one lane of traffic. Nevada Department of Transportation was called and it was bringing loaders to remove the rock and patch the dented pavement.
Traffic is still flowing in the fast lane. It is estimated that the road crews will need two hours to clean up the debris and patch the road.
Go here for updates to this story.
