Sisolak declares State of Emergency to clear traffic jam

Check NVRoads.com for latest road conditions. 

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UPDATE: While emergency measures overnight made a dent in the traffic problem, cars are still backed up this morning, attempting to get home.
Nevada Department of Transportation and Nevada State Police set up a checkpoint at the base of Spooner last night at 8:30 p.m. to turn non-essential traffic away from traveling westbound.
They let residents with identification through but turned all others away.
“Following emergency alerts issued last night for public safety, many drivers traveling westbound on U.S. 50 rerouted to safer valley locations. By approximately midnight, the existing traffic queue on U.S. 50 dissipated,” a NDOT spokesperson told the Tribune. “This helped protect public safety and allowed NDOT highway maintenance staff to plow and treat the U.S. 50 highway surface which had previously been gridlocked and inaccessible to plow operations. NDOT also mobilized highway maintenance staff from valley locations not impacted by the storm to assist with snow removal on U.S. 50.”
The City of South Lake Tahoe activated an Emergency Operations Center Tuesday evening which city officials believe made a difference.
“It gave the road on the California side through South Lake Tahoe a chance to clear up overnight. We expect it to back up again due to continued snow and strongly discourage travel today,” said Lindsey Baker, Assistant to the City Manager.
Governor Steve Sisolak, who declared a State of Emergency last night, tweeted out this morning, “I want to thank all of our first responders and emergency officials who worked diligently through challenging conditions overnight (and for most of the last week) to ensure our roadways and motorists are safe.”
Interstate 80 opened last night to essential commercial vehicles, alleviating some of the stress on Hwy 50.
While the measures last night were an effort to prevent people being stuck in their cars overnight in freezing conditions, snow continues to fall this morning and visitors still want to get home.
Traffic is still backed up on Hwy 50 through South Lake Tahoe.

- Tahoe Daily Tribune


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ORIGINAL STORY: 

Based on advise from my team, I will be declaring a State of Emergency in Northern Nevada.
Highway 50, Highway 207 (Kingsbury Grade) and Highway 28 are experiencing delays, dangerous road conditions and an oncoming storm.

(@nevadadot, @NVEmergencyMgmt, @NV_StatePolice)

— Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) December 29, 2021

Gov. Steve Sisolak is issuing a State of Emergency in Northern Nevada as traffic going to and from Lake Tahoe is causing dangerous road conditions,
Traffic was reportedly backed up for 35 miles from Meyers to Spooner.

Sisolak said on Twitter late Tuesday night, that “based on advise from my team, I will be declaring a State of Emergency in Northern Nevada. Highway 50, Highway 207 (Kingsbury Grade) and Highway 28 are experiencing delays, dangerous road conditions and an oncoming storm.

“State officials, including the Nevada Department of Transportation, Nevada Division of Emergency Management and Nevada State Police need to need to be able to clear roadways to make room for emergency vehicles and snow removal.

“The Emergency will allow officials to order cars to head back into the valley until conditions subside and the roadways are safe. This will help prevent motorists from becoming stranded, potentially running out of gas in subfreezing temperatures without emergency services,” Sisolak said in a series of Tweets.

"I want to thank our emergency responders for working diligently through trying weather conditions to keep our roadways and travelers safe. We need all those who are on the roadways to turn around and head back to safe shelter so our emergency responders can continue their work.”
Check NVRoads.com for up to date road conditions.

Earlier Tuesday, the City of South Lake Tahoe City Manager, Joe Irvin, has activated the Emergency Operations Center to effectively manage the local impacts of the extreme weather and road conditions. Only essential travel is advised at this time.

Due to the restricted roadways, a number of resources are at or near capacity, including gas, tow trucks, and lodging accommodations. With the highways also at capacity, there are significant delays in travel time. Anyone on the road risks getting stranded either from the road conditions or running out of fuel or electric charge, requiring emergency or other assistance."

Emergency vehicles, snowplows, and their staff are challenged with getting through the traffic, so assistance may also be delayed. Those driving an electric vehicle are encouraged to check online resources for the nearest charging stations.
Because of road conditions and limited ability to get supplies, all resources within the City are currently limited and will likely remain so until conditions improve. For road conditions or local accommodation needs, do not contact 911 or local dispatch. Check road conditions at https://roads.dot.ca.gov/, http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/, and http://www.nvroads.com.

For the latest updates, follow the City’s Facebook and Twitter pages @CityofSLT.