The Nevada Department of Transportation has launched the second and final season of a two-year project to repave U.S. 50 between Spooner Summit and the Nevada, California border at Lake Tahoe.
During the first construction season in 2025, crews paved five and a half miles of U.S. 50 through the Stateline casino corridor to just south of Cave Rock, including new highway surface through the Stateline casino corridor.
This year, crews will repave more than seven additional miles of highway, and finalize roadside curb and gutter, drainage and barrier, guardrail improvements.
Motorists will see traffic changes through October 2026 as crews pave and improve the remaining section of highway during the project’s final construction season.
On Monday, NDOT released the following information on the upcoming schedule, specific dates and details of the work:
WORKING HOURS:
24-hour work zones with single lane closures begin Sundays at 8 p.m. and conclude at noon on Fridays.
HOLIDAY HOURS:
Crews will conclude working on Thursday, June 18 at 5 p.m. with no work on Friday, June 19 and resume on Sunday, June 21 at 8 p.m.
Crews will conclude working on Thursday, July 2 at 6 a.m. and resume Sunday, July 12 at 8 p.m. following the Fourth of July holiday weekend and American Century Championship Celebrity Golf tournament.
REMINDERS:
Drivers can anticipate moderate travel delays through the work zone.
Work zones are there to improve the roads, and are not a place for impatient or aggressive driving. Please Take it Slow Tahoe: speed is reduced to 35 mph through all zones.
Double penalty in work zones: the Nevada Revised Statute 484.3667 doubles the penalty for speeding, up to $1,000, in any marked road construction or maintenance work zone when workers are present. Go here for more information on work zone driving safety.
While access to businesses and residences will be continuously maintained in most areas, certain side streets and driveways will temporarily be impacted as roadway excavation takes place in the immediate area. Steel plates and earthwork will then be used after excavation to reestablish side street access.
PAVING BEGINS JUNE 22:
Crews begin paving the week of June 22 at the top of Spooner Summit toward Cave Rock on the hill side first. Cave Rock section and Bourne’s Meadow will be later in the summer, tentatively mid-August.
THE PAVING PROCESS:
Paving includes multiple phases, where crews return to the same section to complete various steps:
Step 1: Lower utilities — Lower manholes and utility valve covers that lie within the limits of milling and paving
Step 2: Mill and overlay — removing the top 2-3 inches of an existing asphalt and repave within the same day to avoid drop-offs
Step 3: Temporary striping — replace lane lines, crosswalks, and stop bars with a temporary traffic paint
Step 4: Sawcut traffic loops into the new pavement where traffic signals rely on loops to detect the presence of vehicles. Open grade paving — place the final top inch surface of asphalt
Step 5: Raise utilities — raise the manhole and utility valve covers flush with the new pavement and pour a concrete collar around the covers
Step 6: Permanent striping with epoxy paint will occur after the new open grade pavement cures for 7 to 21 days. Place thermoplastic pavement markings for crosswalks, stop bars, turn arrows and ONLYs.
Step 7: Enjoy a newly-paved roadway.
