At its regularly scheduled meeting on Tues., April 21, 2009, the Placer County Board of Supervisors took two actions on the proposed Tahoe City Transit Center. The Board adopted a new county ordinance that will prohibit rafters from parking in a new parking lot that will be built to serve transit patrons. The Board also authorized the County’s Public Works Department to advertise for bids to construct the Transit Center.
The Transit Center will include a new, 130-space parking lot on the 64-acre parcel of U.S. Forest Service land. An existing, 60-space parking lot that is currently used by rafters will remain open for that purpose. The existing parking lot gets heavy summer use due to its close proximity to the Truckee River, which is Lake Tahoe’s only outlet. Rafting the stretch of the river from Tahoe City to the takeout at Alpine Meadows Road is a popular activity and the existing lot will continue to serve those who participate in this activity.
The Transit Center, to be located near the Truckee River, south of the Tahoe City Wye, will be an intermodal transit center, connecting Tahoe Area Regional Transit buses with hiking and cycling walkways, and highways 89 and 28. The facility will have room for six buses, 130-parking spaces, indoor and outdoor seating/waiting areas, restrooms and other features.
“We understand the importance of getting residents and visitors alike out of their cars and walking, bicycling or using public transportation to get around in the Tahoe Basin,” said Placer County Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery, whose Fifth District includes parts of the west and north shores of Lake Tahoe. “This project was developed to ensure that those who choose to raft have a place to park, as well as providing ample parking for those who wish to use public transit or the nearby foot and bike paths.”