Kings Beach at Lake Tahoe is undergoing major construction. The $50 million project will reduce pollution and the high accident rate around the beach. The work will also improve access to the beach.
Tractors are digging giant holes next to the beach for concrete containers that can hold up to 120,000 gallons of storm water. Road crews are pounding stakes before pouring sidewalks.
The area’s only stop light will be torn out and replaced with a round-about. When the work is done, pedestrians won’t have to walk in the streets, there will be fewer lanes of traffic, and the traffic will move more slowly. The goal is 11 fewer accidents per year, and a 50 percent reduction of pollution flowing into the lake.
Fifth District Placer County Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery looks forward to the improvements.
“Where people are out on the streets, they are sitting on the benches, they are enjoying the public art, they are shopping at the stores, they are eating in the restaurants, they are enjoying the state park, it is the heart and soul of the community. I think it is going to look like a really vibrant walkable, bikeable community.”
The construction will stop July 1st to make way for tourists. Then it will start up again after Labor Day. The entire project is expected to be complete in 2016.
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