Originally Published in the Sierra Sun, 02/14/2025, Written by Zoe Meyer

As winter blankets the Sierra Nevada, the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) is preparing to ensure the safety of the highways that connect communities and recreational destinations. Leading this crucial effort is Adam Northrup, supervisor of Crew 250 in Mount Rose. With seven years of experience at NDOT—five of which have been spent overseeing operations in this challenging winter landscape—Northrup and his team play a vital role in maintaining Mount Rose, the highest Sierra pathway kept open year-round.

The Scope of Winter Operations

Northrup and his team handle approximately 75 types of maintenance work, including asphalt repaving and installing guardrails and signs. But when winter arrives, their focus shifts to keeping the roads clear. “From the moment the first snowflakes hit, our priority is to remove moisture and keep the roads safe,” Northrup said.

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Photo Credit : NDOT

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) participated in Transportation Day at the Nevada Legislature this week and addressed the State Senate and Assembly Growth and Infrastructure Committees in support of environmental and transportation improvements in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The 83rd session of the Nevada Legislature is convening on the 55th anniversary of the Bi-State Tahoe Regional Planning Compact between Nevada and California that unified Lake Tahoe planning and environmental programs under the Regional Plan, TRPA said today.

As the lead agency for the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, TRPA submitted legislation requests on behalf of partner agencies for consideration this year, including bills to streamline forest health projects, improve parking enforcement along Nevada roadways at the lake, and improve boating safety, according to the agency. Other legislation would allow $19 million in bond sales for Nevada EIP projects and self-assessed business improvement districts to fund improvements to transportation, housing, and tourism management.

During the 2024 interim session, TRPA and other Lake Tahoe agencies worked with the Nevada Legislative Oversight Committee for TRPA and the Marlette Lake Water System to provide in-depth information on environmental issues and programs, which helped elected officials introduce various bill requests. After six committee meetings last year, TRPA satisfied all requests from the committee.

“We appreciate the time and resources state legislators and our partners at the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources have invested to help improve public safety, transportation, and recreation in the Lake Tahoe Region,” TRPA Executive Director Julie Regan said. “We’re proud of the progress we have seen in the Tahoe Basin since Nevada and California created this unique bi-state agency more than 50 years ago. Yet new challenges and historic impacts still threaten the basin. We will continue working with both states to honor and strengthen that partnership in the protection of Lake Tahoe.”

More information on the 83rd Session of the Nevada Legislature is available at www.leg.state.nv.us . 

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The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency leads the cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region, while improving local communities, and people’s interactions with our irreplaceable environment. For additional information, contact Jeff Cowen, Public Information Officer, at (775) 589-5278, or jcowen@trpa.gov.

Photo Credit: Ryan Salm (provided by TART Connect)

TART Connect
The free, on-demand microtransit service is operating its peak season service through April 6th. This winter, TART Connect covers six zones:

• Three North Shore zones around North Lake Tahoe.
• Two evening zones connecting the resorts to the lake.
• One Truckee zone covering the entire Town of Truckee boundaries.
  Download the TART Connect app or call 530.553.0653 to request a ride.

New Sugar Bowl Donner Summit Shuttle
Enjoy daily connections between Truckee and Sugar Bowl/Donner Ski Ranch. Hop on the Truckee TART bus or TART Connect to the Coldstream stop, then connect to the Sugar Bowl Donner Summit Shuttle for a stress-free ride to the slopes. Service operates through April 20th.

Weekend Park and Ride
No parking reservation? No problem! This winter, Palisades Tahoe and Northstar California require parking reservations on weekends, but you can skip the hassle by using TART’s free Park and Ride service operating weekends through April 13th:

• Palisades Tahoe: Park at the Tahoe City Transit Center or Truckee High School fields and enjoy free bus or shuttle service approximately every 20 minutes.
• Northstar California: Park at the Lift Truckee offices and take hourly service to Northstar, with additional buses on January 19th, February 22nd, and February 23rd.
• Want to leave the car at home? Take TART Connect to the nearest Park and Ride lot.

TART Winter Bus Schedule
Operating from December 12th through April 6th, this season’s service includes:

• Daily routes along the North Shore of Lake Tahoe and in Truckee. Additional routes connecting North Lake Tahoe and Truckee on highways 267 and 89. Service is provided by the TART bus and the “My Ride to Work” bus.
• Peak Winter Commute service, provided by the “My Ride to Work” bus.
• Night service between Truckee and Northstar. (All other evening transit needs are covered by TART Connect.)

For more details about TART programs, visit TahoeTruckeeTransit.com.