As we in Lake Tahoe know, there are pretty much two seasons at the lake—winter and construction. And construction season is just around the corner. While orange cones may slow cars down, they also help keep Tahoe clear by improving transportation infrastructure. At the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), we’re focused on expanding the region’s transportation system year-round.  

Transportation in Tahoe is about more than getting from one place to another. What happens on our roads directly affects lake clarity. Stormwater runoff from roadways can carry fine sediment and pollutants into tributaries and ultimately Lake Tahoe. Connected transportation options can reduce the number of cars on the roads and improve safety. They also protect the environment and recreation experiences that make Tahoe special. 

One of the biggest opportunities ahead is improving connectivity. Free, on-demand microtransit services on North and South Shores are showing how much demand there is for greater connectivity. Those systems have provided more than 1.9 million rides since launching a few years ago. With about ten different organizations operating transit services around the lake, TRPA is bringing public transportation partners, as well as private operators like hotels and ski resorts, together to better coordinate services, strengthen governance among transit providers, and identify funding mechanisms that can support operations over the long term.  

As lead agency of the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, or EIP, TRPA helps coordinate more than 30 different funding sources from state, federal, regional, and local agencies and the private sector to support transportation projects. EIP collaboration and combined resources are making progress throughout the Tahoe Basin: 

• Lake Link microtransit on South Shore – 700,000 free, on-demand rides since its launch in 2022. The City of South Lake Tahoe and Douglas County recently re-committed shared funding for the service. 

• Nevada State Route 28 East Shore Corridor – more than 400 off-highway parking spaces are moving forward this year. Partners are working throughout the corridor to replace unsafe roadside parking spaces to improve safety, reduce impacts to the lake, and maintain recreation access.  

• Fanny Bridge replacement in Tahoe City – Federal and state agencies, Placer County, and local businesses helped fund the replacement of the 100-year-old bridge that also delivered pedestrian safety and traffic improvements at the nexus of an award-winning mobility hub, trails, beaches, and downtown Tahoe City. 

• Emerald Bay Shuttle – The successful launch of the shuttle last year by El Dorado County, nonprofit organizations, law enforcement, and transportation agencies will transition to being funded and operated by the Tahoe Transportation District in 2026. The pilot project served nearly 5,000 riders last summer and reduced dangerous roadside parking while providing safer access to one of the lake’s most iconic destinations.  

These projects are building upon years of investment by partner organizations that include more than 200 miles of bike paths and numerous pedestrian safety and emissions-reducing projects. 

The increased commitment we are seeing from all sectors could not be coming at a more crucial time. As heat waves become more common at lower elevations, Tahoe’s cool waters and mountain air will continue drawing people seeking relief. Growing pressure around outdoor recreation and extreme weather patterns are shaping Tahoe’s transportation needs. 

Enhanced transit services, connected trails and town centers, improved technology, and coordinated emergency communication strategies are helping ensure the transportation system works not only during busy weekends, but also when extreme weather or wildfire require safe evacuation routes.  

The need for coordinated and connected transit is echoed here in our communities, as up to 20 percent of Tahoe’s population—including youth, seniors, people with disabilities, and lower-income residents—rely more heavily on transportation options beyond personal vehicles.  

All of this underscores the importance of building a transportation system that works for Tahoe’s environment and the people who depend on it. 

TRPA and regional partners will continue working to improve connections, operations, and long-term funding for transportation in the basin. Community involvement helps shape that work. Watch for upcoming bike events, surveys, and workshops to take part in the conversation. The public is also welcome to join a transportation-focused meeting of the Nevada Legislative Oversight Committee for TRPA on April 10. More information is at trpa.gov/events.  

As the days grow longer and Tahoe’s trail network comes back to life, residents and visitors can help by biking, walking, or hopping on transit when possible. It’s good for the lake and our quality of life to slow down, take in the scenery, and enjoy the places that make Tahoe extraordinary. 

Julie Regan is Executive Director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.