Drivers traveling through Lake Tahoe should expect significant delays over the coming days as paving work moves into one of the region's busiest intersections.
Heavy traffic and travel delays are anticipated at the intersection of U.S. 50 and State Route 28 through Tuesday, June 30, as crews continue a Nevada Department of Transportation project to resurface U.S. 50.
Delays are expected to be especially heavy during the afternoon and evening commute between approximately 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
The department is advising drivers to plan for extra travel time, avoid afternoon commute periods if possible, and consider alternate routes.
Crews have begun repaving the section of U.S. 50 near the State Route 28 intersection. The work includes milling and overlay operations, which remove the top 2 to 3 inches of existing asphalt before new pavement is installed.
The work marks the final year of the two-year U.S. 50 Tahoe Stateline to Spooner Summit Repaving Project. The project is designed to improve existing roadways and utility and drainage systems while helping preserve pavement conditions and protect Lake Tahoe.
Drivers can sign up for project newsletters and receive updates on work zones and construction schedules by emailing us50tahoepaving@gmail.com or visiting the project's information page.
Through October 2026, drivers can expect ongoing traffic changes along U.S. 50 from just south of Cave Rock to the Spooner Summit Trailhead. Single-lane closures are scheduled from Sundays at 8 p.m. through Fridays at noon, with additional intermittent lane reductions on some Friday afternoons during September and October.
A one-mile stretch of U.S. 50 between Round Hill and Zephyr Cove that was not resurfaced during the previous construction season is also scheduled for paving this year.
At least one lane in each direction will remain open throughout construction. Speed limits will be reduced to 35 mph in work zones, and moderate travel delays are expected.
Access to businesses and homes will generally be maintained, although some side streets and driveways may experience temporary impacts during excavation work.
Lane reductions will not occur during major holidays or special events. Construction schedules remain weather-dependent and could change.
When substantially completed this fall, the project will have resurfaced more than 13 miles of U.S. 50 between the Nevada and California border at Stateline and the Spooner Summit Trailhead near the U.S. 50 and State Route 28 intersection.
Additional improvements include replacing 3 inches of roadway surface with new asphalt, installing centerline rumble strips in select areas, upgrading certain guardrails to concrete barrier rail, replacing asphalt curbs with concrete curbing, improving drainage systems, and installing a fiber optic trunk line to expand the department's communications network.
The project will not reduce the number of highway lanes or include major turn lanes or intersection reconfigurations.
The department estimates about 26,000 drivers travel the corridor each day. Officials say the completed project will provide a smoother and safer drive along the heavily traveled highway.
(The Nevada Department of Transportation contributed to this story.)
