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Placer County Transportation Digest



Electric Rail to Las Vegas Keeps Rolling with New Federal Funding Approved

01/24/2024

A project to connect Los Angeles and Las Vegas via electric high speed rail could break ground in early 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced.

A Guide to License Plates

01/23/2024

The numbers and letters on your car can reveal more than you think.

State Trying to Use Generative AI to Reduce Traffic

01/08/2024

Caltrans has set a Jan. 25 deadline for tech companies to show how generative artificial intelligence might reduce traffic congestion in the state. This follows an executive order that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in September related to this type of AI.

Snow Shortage Followed by Potential Whiteout in Sierras

01/05/2024

Heavy snow is projected in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Previously, warmer storms had been bringing precipitation mainly to higher elevations in the Sierras.

Driverless Cars Can’t Be Ticketed in SF for Speeding or Running Red Lights

01/03/2024

San Francisco police officers have been operating for more than a year with guidance from their chief that California’s vehicle code doesn’t provide authority for them to ticket driverless cars for infractions like speeding or running red lights. Officers are still encouraged to report relevant information about incidents.

Kern County Is Poised to Become Warehousing’s Next Frontier

12/19/2023

Farmland is being rezoned for industrial use, and massive warehouses are being built on spec near communities like Buttonwillow and Shafter, so goods coming through the Southern California ports can be shipped quickly throughout the western United States.

Protesters Calling for Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Shut Down 110 Freeway

12/13/2023

A group of protesters sat down with interlocked arms on the 110 Freeway near downtown LA on Dec. 13, halting southbound traffic for more than an hour. Multiple people were arrested according to the CHP.

Commute Times Highlight Income Divide

12/13/2023

Higher-income workers are more likely to work from home, analysis of recent census data shows. Lower-income workers can face long and solitary commutes to get to work.

High-Speed Rail Project Connecting SoCal to Las Vegas Wins Grant

12/05/2023

Private company Brightline secured a $3 billion grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation toward a 218-mile high-speed rail line from Rancho Cucamonga to Las Vegas. The line would allow people to make the trip to Sin City in a little over two hours.

Oakland Might Have to Pay Developers Millions Over Coal Terminal

12/04/2023

An Alameda County judge ruled on Nov. 22 that the city of Oakland thwarted a proposed coal export terminal. The judge will rule if the developer who sued is entitled to $159 million in damages or moving forward with the project.

DMV Shift Appears to Spur Drop in ‘No Party Preference’ Voter Sign-Ups

12/04/2023

The California Department of Motor Vehicles changed its voter registration process in 2019 to put a party selection dropdown on the same page. Since then, the number of people registering as Republicans or Democrats has jumped close to 20 points.

Express Lanes Open on Interstate 405

12/01/2023

The Orange County Transportation Authority announced that work has been completed for express lanes along 16 miles of Interstate 405. The lanes, which were part of a $2.16 billion improvement project, span from Costa Mesa to the Los Angeles County line.

Data Shows Four Cities in California Among Worst for Holiday Travel

11/21/2023

A new study by Forbes shows that four cities in the Golden State—Los Angeles, Fresno, San Diego and Sacramento—are among the 21 worst cities in the United States for holiday travel. Forbes looked at a variety of factors including car accidents, hotel prices and air travel.

Interstate 10 Is Reopening Much Sooner than Expected

11/16/2023

Interstate 10 in Los Angeles will reopen Nov. 21, following a fire on Nov. 11. It had previously been feared the freeway would be closed much longer.

Sacramento to Roseville Train Service Set to Triple Routes

10/02/2023

The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded $42.51 million to the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority to complete Phase 1 of its Sacramento to Roseville Third Track Project.

Lawmakers Strike $106 Million Deal for Hydrogen Vehicle Fueling Stations

09/13/2023

Hydrogen fueling stations will get 15 percent of funds in a state program — even though Californians own only about 12,000 hydrogen cars. The funds come from fees paid by drivers.

CHP Rolls Out E-Bike Safety Training

09/06/2023

As the popularity of electric bikes continues to skyrocket, the California Highway Patrol is launching an online e-bike safety and training program to help commuters and recreational cyclists ride safely.

California Legislators Battle Over $300 Million to Build Fuel Stations for Hydrogen Cars Almost No One Owns

08/17/2023

With only 12,000 hydrogen cars on the road, and just two models for sale, California lawmakers are debating how much state money should support them.

Sacramento Region Embarks on Innovative Pathway for Economic Growth

08/15/2023

The Greater Sacramento Economic Council submitted an application for the Economic Development Administration Tech Hub program that aims to establish a Zero Emission Vehicle innovation asset on the campus of Sacramento State.

Lake Link Exceeds Goal, Discusses Expansion

08/04/2023

Local micro-transit service, Lake Link celebrated one year in service while also celebrating "overwhelming" success, exceeding its original goals by more than 20,000 riders.

How Truckee-Tahoe Airport is Leading the Way in Sustainable Aviation

07/17/2023

The International Civil Aviation Organization established the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, which aims to help reduce aviation greenhouse gas emissions.

Transportation District Celebrates Introduction of Electric Bus Fleet to South Lake Tahoe

07/14/2023

The Tahoe Transportation District, along with fundamental local partners, celebrated the brand-new electric bus fleet and mobility hub that has been created at Lake Tahoe Community College.

Capital to Tahoe Celebrates Grand Opening at Spooner Lake

07/06/2023

The event is the culmination of years of planning and work to build an approximately 17-mile trail from Nevada’s capital city to the Tahoe Rim Trail, which connects to the Pacific Crest Trail.

NDOT to Install Traffic Signal on U.S. 50 at Warrior Way

07/06/2023

Lane reductions and permanent roadside parking restrictions will begin Monday, July 10, as the Nevada Department of Transportation launches a project to install a traffic signal and improve U.S. 50 near Warrior on Lake Tahoe’s east shore.

TRPA Approves Amendment to Area Plan With Mitigations, Extension of Beach Shuttle

06/30/2023

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency governing board voted to approve the amendment to the Tahoe Area Plan in Incline Village's Special Area 1, with serious mitigations to promote mixed-use development and achievable housing, in addition to the extension of the special use permit for the East Shore Trail Shuttle located at the old elementary school in Incline Village.

Cortez Masto, Rosen Announce More Than $3.4M to Fund Low-Emission Buses in Lake Tahoe

06/27/2023

U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) announced that the Tahoe Transportation District will receive $3.4 million to fund its Clean Transit Initiative.

Board Approves Funding for Alternative Transportation Sources in North Lake Tahoe

06/16/2023

Placer County's commitment to alternative modes of transportation got a boost following two board approvals that authorized the use of Transient Occupancy Tax.

Ebbetts Pass Open While Sonora, Tioga Passes Remain Closed

06/09/2023

Ebbetts Pass on Highway 4 in Alpine County reopened Thursday, according to the California Department of Transportation. CalTrans is working to clear Sonora and Tioga passes still.

Placer County Launches Website Specifically for North Lake Tahoe

06/02/2023

Placer County officially launched its new Tahoe-specific website, where residents and visitors alike can access county information, resources and programs all in one place.

Placer County Moves Toward Zero Emissions Fleet

06/01/2023

Placer County will order four electric buses to add to the Tahoe Truckee Area Transit (TART) system as part of the county’s larger effort to convert to a zero emissions fleet by 2040.

Placer County Commissions Plan for North Lake Tahoe Highway Transit Improvements

05/31/2023

The Placer County Board of Supervisors approved a $511,838 contract with Wood Rodgers Inc. to create a strategic implementation and phasing plan to advance implementation along state routes 89 and 267, both of which connect Interstate 80 to North Lake Tahoe.

Community Urged to Weigh In on North Tahoe Parking Program

05/20/2023

North Lake Tahoe residents, homeowners, and visitors are encouraged to share their thoughts to help shape a new parking management program under development by Placer County's Department of Public Works.