A slow reopening is seen in the routes in and out of the Tahoe Basin as the Sierra works out from the record-setting snowstorms in years. Officials, however, are still warning against traveling to the area because of the intense traffic on Highway 50, SFGATE reported.
Highway 50’s lanes were reopened from Placerville to Meyers late Monday, and became the most convenient path into the Tahoe region. But shortly before 7:00 in the morning, the traffic was disrupted by a semi-truck that turned across Highway 50 close to the 33 Mile Stone. It caused a highway closure for hours and triggered long traffic jams in both directions. Caltrans said the accident was cleared by noon but Highway 50 hits its capacity.
“If you don’t need to travel today, please don’t,” Caltrans said. “Your best option for an alternate route is to stay put.”
South Lake Tahoe officials said there is a low supply of gas in the city and cautioned of a possible 10-hour delay.
“50 is backed up 35 miles into NV & it’s estimated the trans-Sierra crossing will take 10+ hours as I-80 remain closed,” a tweet by the National Weather Service in Reno said. “Additional snow is moving into the region this evening/tomorrow. Officials are asking you to not travel today.”
Tuesday afternoon, a slight relief was felt as Caltrans said eastbound I-80 has again become accessible to essential commercial vehicles and public utility vehicles.
Below is the list of roads with yet unannounced reopening schedule, as reported by SFGATE:
1. Westbound I-80 from the Nevada state line to Colfax
2. State Route 89 from Harper’s Grade to Emerald Bay
3. State Route 20 between Nevada City and the I-80 junction
4. State Route 70 from Jarbo Gap to Greenville Wye
5. State Route 49 from Marysville Road to Sattley
6. State Route 89 from Sierraville to Sattley
7. State Route 174 from Memorial Park to Brunswick Road
