Kings Beach Western Approach Project

Project History

The Kings Beach Western Approach Project is adjacent to and an extension of the Kings Beach Commercial Core Improvement Project (KBCCIP) that was completed in October 2017. The KBCCIP dramatically changed the look and feel of the highway corridor that runs through the community of Kings Beach by reducing the number of lanes from four to three lanes, added two roundabouts, installed on-street parking, sidewalks, lighting, streetscape amenities, and major water quality improvements.

In May 2017, the County in conjunction with Caltrans staff completed an Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) screening for the intersection of State Routes 267 and 28 in the unincorporated community of Kings Beach, California. The screening analysis concluded that roundabout control represents the only viable alternative for future intersection control based primarily on continuation of the Complete Street project completed east of the intersection on SR 28 in order to improve the safety and mobility of the nonmotorized traveler. Although this was the initial conclusion from the screening analysis, signalized alternatives are still being analyzed in a full Intersection Control Evaluation Analysis to ensure all alternatives options are considered prior to selecting the preferred alternative.

• In October 2018 the County hired GHD Inc. to provide the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Document Services for this Project. You can learn more about this process in the Project Process discussion on this page.
• Intersection Control Evaluation Screening

Project Alternatives 

The design team analyzed three alternatives: a no build alternative, and two build alternatives; a roundabout, and a modified signal. An in-depth alternative analysis of several different roundabouts and the modified signal alternative was performed. As part of the process, the alternatives were compared based on the goals and needs of the project, including the ability to keep traffic moving, while minimizing impacts to adjacent properties and the environment. Based on the analysis, it was determined the hybrid roundabout (Alternative 3; see exhibit below) improves safety for all users, improves mobility for bicyclists and pedestrians, provides a context sensitive, complete street environment, is consistent with local, regional and state planning, and operates within acceptable levels of service for motor vehicles. The roundabout alternative offers improved conditions across more analysis outcomes than the signal alternative. Therefore, based on this analysis, it was recommended the signalized alternative be dropped from further consideration.

The roundabout alternative will remove the existing signal and replace it with a modern roundabout. This alternative shifts the intersection to the west of the existing intersection and incorporates Brassie Lane into the intersection, making it a four-legged intersection. The roundabout is a hybrid roundabout, which means that it is neither a single lane nor a multi-lane roundabout. The roundabout is a single lane in all directions except in the eastbound direction. In the eastbound direction the entry flares from a single lane to a through lane and a left turn lane, making a short multilane section through the circulatory roadway in the eastbound direction.

The following exhibits illustrate supporting information, along with the various alternatives which were considered:

• Project Location
• Project Overview Exhibit 
• Truck Turning Templates
• Fire Truck Access Exhibits
• Alternative 3: Roundabout Exhibit
• Alternative 4: Signal Exhibit
• Alternative 3: Bicycle and Pedestrian Movements Exhibit
• Alternative Comparison Matrix

Project Process

This project is on the State Highway System and therefore must be processed and evaluated in accordance with Caltrans regulations and requirements, in addition to those of the County.  The project is currently in the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Document Phase.  The graphic below provides some more information on that process.  The project is anticipated to go to construction in 2022.

• Project Delivery Process (English and Spanish)

What is a Road Diet?

A Road Diet is a term used in the transportation industry which means taking the existing roadway and reconfiguring it, usually involving a reduction in the number of lanes. The primary benefits of a Road Diet includes enhanced safety, opening up the existing roadway to other users (bicycles, pedestrians, buses, etc.) to provide better mobility and access for all road users and creation of a "complete streets" environment to accommodate a variety of transportation modes.

This project is putting SR 28 on a Road Diet by converting the existing five-lane roadway segment to a three-lane segment consisting of two through lanes and a center, two-way left-turn lane.

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Road Diets have resulted in a 19%-47% crash reduction, reduced vehicle speed differential, improved mobility and access by all road users, and integration of the roadway into surrounding uses that results in an enhanced quality of life. 

FHWA has deemed a “Road Diet is a low-cost solution that addresses safety concerns and benefits all road users — a win-win for quality of life.”

For more information on Road Diets, please read this informational guide from FHWA.

What is a “Complete Street”?

The term Complete Streets is used to describe a roadway corridor that is designed to be safe and accommodating for people of all ages and abilities who may use the facility, including cyclists, pedestrians, cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, emergency vehicles, semi-trucks and more.  The complete street concept is flexible and is based on the context of the community in which it is being implemented.  A Complete Street can incorporate a wide range of elements, such as sidewalks, bicycle lanes, bus lanes, public transportation stops, enhanced crosswalks, median islands, curb extensions, modified vehicle travel lanes, safety lighting, decorative lighting, seating areas or plazas, landscaping, and other amenities.   

Why Complete Streets? As cited by the US Department of Transportation (DOT), they can reduce vehicle collisions, pedestrian and bicyclist risk. They can also promote walking and bicycling by providing safer places which helps reduce the number of vehicles on the road, improving our environment and health!   For more information on Complete Streets visit the US DOT’s information page.  

Public Meetings

The County is intending to provide various opportunities for sharing this project with the community through public meetings, the project website, email blasts, and smaller stakeholder meetings.  

The first Public Meeting was held at the North Tahoe Event Center on June 18, 2019.  The project documents listed below were shared at the public meeting. 

An email blast was also sent on June 11, 2019 and can be found here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CAPLACER/bulletins/24b22a4?reqfrom=share.  If you would like to be added to the email list for this project, please provide your contact information here or send an email to the County’s Project Manager, Andy Deinken. 

• Project Overview Exhibit 
• Alternative 3: Roundabout Exhibit
• Alternative 4: Signal Exhibit
• Alternative 3: Bicycle and Pedestrian Movements Exhibit
• Alternative Comparison Matrix
• Project Fact Sheet
• Meeting Postcard
• Meeting Flyer 

Opening Year Peak Traffic Roundabout Operations Simulation 

Opening Year Peak Traffic Signal Operations Simulation

A subsequent virtual public meeting was held on October 28, 2020, to present the draft environmental document for the proposed roundabout and adjacent improvements. Please click hereVersion OptionsKings Beach Western Approach ProjectHeadline48228 for a video of the meeting.

The proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration and Initial Study & Checklist, along with additional project information, have been posted at the California State Clearinghouse website here: https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/2020109003/2