SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Lake Tahoe is California’s not-so-hidden gem. Typically, the high traffic season falls between Memorial Day and Labor Day, as well as winter. Sometimes it can cause hours of delays for visitors and impact local streets.
Jason Rolfe grew up in the South Lake Tahoe area and moved back a few years ago. He remembers a time when getting across town wasn’t an issue like it is now, mostly on busy weekend days.
“You have to make a plan before you leave. There are days when we consider not leaving the house because we know if we leave that we’re not getting back in any sort of timely manner,” said Rolfe.
He says the area relies on tourists and Lake Tahoe was built on that, but it comes with downfalls like traffic increases and a lack of alternate transportation. He says some locals do need to drive during high-traffic times and it can really impact people who need to leave.
El Dorado County director of transportation, Rafael Martinez, says they’re constantly trying their best to make residents happy. He says they want tourists to come, but wish the crowds could be more spaced out.
Martinez says the average South Lake Tahoe residential street has around 1,000 vehicles passing through a day, but on holidays there can be anywhere between 4,000-6,000. It’s all because people are trying to save time on their way out of town.
“It infuriates my residents who have been complaining for years, if not decades, about the congestion on their little quiet residential roads,” said Martinez.
He says backups become 'apocalyptic' during winter when there are closings or snowy conditions resulting in several hours of waiting.
According to Martinez, there are roughly 15,000 vehicles using Highway 50 on any given day. On holidays, it can range anywhere between 20,000-25,000.
The El Dorado County Department of Transportation even tried putting restrictions in places like North Upper Truckee Road and Sawmill Road, which bypass congested areas as people flock to get on Highway 50 westbound.
Martinez and Rolfe say people ignore signage and use the side streets anyway. The sheriff's office and California Highway Patrol helped enforce turn restrictions, but Martinez says it was a game of cat and mouse.
“As soon as enforcement would leave, people would start making right turns and then the wayfinding apps would start sending people back down again,” said Martinez.
Martinez says they contacted Waze to make them aware of changes and rules because many people still end up on local roads despite closings or restrictions. He says there were most recently issues on Labor Day when people were still being sent down roads they weren’t supposed to be on.
Andrew Stober, head of global public partnerships at Waze, says they try to keep the maps as updated as possible with historic and real-time information.
“We have relationships with local jurisdictions. We have local map editors who are keeping aware of what's going on on the road. As a user, if you see something that’s wrong, report that error to us and we’ll get it corrected as soon as we can,” said Stober.
He says following signs on the road is the first and most important thing people should do.
“We work with the community to make sure the most accurate information is on our map so we're not directing you onto a closed road,” said Stober.
Martinez says they sometimes find visitors aren't prepared to travel during winter. The El Dorado DOT is currently working with the chamber of commerce, casinos, and hotels to get the word out to tourists to chain up before hitting the road.
In terms of improvements, they’re also hoping lodging can give incentives to have people stay a little longer so people aren't leaving at the same time. Caltrans is lending messaging signs to provide route suggestions throughout the area.
Before you go:
- Friday afternoons and Sunday afternoons are some of the busiest times along with holidays
- Know to plan accordingly in the event of weather-related delays or closures
- Avoid leaving the area between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Sundays
- When ski areas close you'll see another influx of traffic
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