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PAVING BEGINS JULY 13

• Crews resume paving the week of July 13 continuing past Glenbrook.
• Cave Rock section and Bourne’s Meadow will be paved later in the summer, tentatively mid-August.

THE PAVING PROCESS

Paving includes multiple phases, where crews return to the same section to complete various steps:

Step 1:   Lower utilities - Lower manholes and utility valve covers that lie within the limits of milling and paving

Step 2:   Mill and overlay — removing the top 2-3 inches of an existing asphalt and repave within the same day to avoid drop-offs

Step 3:   Temporary striping — replace lane lines, crosswalks, and stop bars with a temporary traffic paint

Step 4: Sawcut traffic loops into the new pavement where traffic signals rely on loops to detect the presence of vehicles. Open grade paving — place the final top inch surface of asphalt

Step 5:   Raise utilities – raise the manhole and utility valve covers flush with   the new pavement and pour a concrete collar around the covers

Step 6:   Permanent striping with epoxy paint will occur after the new open grade pavement cures for 7 to 21 days. Place thermoplastic pavement markings for crosswalks, stop bars, turn arrows and ONLYs.

Step 7:   Enjoy a newly-paved roadway

SEASON TWO CONSTRUCTION 

The second and final season of this two-year project to repave U.S. 50 between Spooner Summit and the Nevada/California border at Lake Tahoe will take place during summer 2026..

During the first construction season in 2025, crews paved five and a half miles of U.S. 50 through the Stateline casino corridor to just south of Cave Rock, including new highway surface through the Stateline casino corridor. 

This year, crews will pave more than seven additional miles of highway, and finalize roadside curb and gutter, drainage and barrier and guardrail. 

Motorists will see the following traffic changes through October 2026 as crews pave and improve the remaining section of highway during the project’s final construction season: 

WHAT TO EXPECT

•  Single lane closures will take place Sundays at 8 p.m. through Fridays at noon on sections of U.S. 50 from just south of Cave Rock to the Spooner Summit trailhead
• A one-mile section of U.S. 50 from Round Hill to Zephyr Cove that was not paved last season will be repaved this year
• A minimum of one lane in each direction will stay open at all times.
• Speeds will be reduced to 35mph through work zones
• While access to businesses and residences will be continuously maintained in most areas, certain side streets and driveways will temporarily be impacted as roadway excavation takes place in the immediate area. Steel plates and earthwork will then be used after excavation to reestablish side street access
• Drivers can anticipate moderate travel delays through the work zone
• Lane reductions will not take place during major holidays or special events
• Construction schedule is weather permitting and subject to change
• Intermittent sidewalk closures will take place in the casino corridor, with pedestrian access remaining available

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

NDOT is resurfacing just over 13 miles of U.S. 50 between Spooner Summit (near the U.S. 50/State Route 28 intersection) and the Nevada/California border at Stateline.

• Three inches of aging roadway surface will be removed and replaced with new asphalt.
• Between Spooner Summit and Glenbrook, two double yellow lines in the median will create a two-foot separation between traffic directions to reduce potential head-on crashes and enhance safety.
• To also help reduce cross-over crashes, centerline rumble strips will be placed between Spooner Pass and Glenbrook and other select areas to help alert and correct drivers who may unintentionally leave their lane.
• Certain sections of roadside guardrail will also be replaced or upgraded to concrete barrier to enhance safety.
• Existing asphalt curbs will be replaced with concrete curbing to better withstand winter snow removal activities.
• A fiber optic trunk line will also be installed to expand NDOT’s communications network, connect intelligent transportation systems, and provide a pathway for other communications services.

Many sections of highway haven’t been fully resurfaced since 2007. The resurfacing will provide a smoother, safer drive for the approximately 26,000 drivers who travel the busy stretch of highway daily.

As part of resurfacing, two lanes will remain in each direction. The resurfacing will not reduce the number of highway lanes and will not include major turn lane or intersection reconfigurations.

NDOT has gathered public and stakeholder feedback to develop the U.S. 50 Tahoe East Shore Corridor Management Plan. The plan develops priorities and concepts as a blueprint for future additional improvements to enhance highway safety and mobility.

PROJECT CONTACT

Project e-mail: us50tahoepaving@gmail.com

Project hotline: (775) 339-9664