Snow Removal

The first real snow of the winter season proved that the California Department of Transportation’s recent changes in its snow removal procedures where shortsighted at best and a detriment to the public safety at worst.

Caltrans’ plan to cut the use of road salt by 30% to protect the health of trees in the Lake Tahoe area is a first step in aiding the environment. However, simply cutting the use of salt without any compensation for the reduction increases ice on the road and the chance of accidents. This was proven over the Thanksgiving weekend when heavy snowfall caused numerous accidents, major delays and even hours-long closures on Highway 50 and Interstate 80.

Citizens for Better Mountain Highways is a coalition of Sierra business owners, residents and visitors who are concerned about the environment as well as safety and accessibility of area highways. We urge Caltrans to employ alternative road de-icers, additional staff and more equipment this winter both to protect the environment and ensure the safety of those traveling Sierra Nevada roads.

STAN HANSEN

Co-Chair, Citizens for Better

Mountain Highways

TOM DAVIS

President, South Lake Tahoe

Chamber of Commerce