Tahoe Transportation District announced Friday that it has been awarded $25.5 million in funds from the Federal Lands Access Program for the State Route 89/Fanny Bridge Community Revitalization Project, Meeks Bay Bike Path and the Dollar Creek Shared Use Path.

Of the three projects, Fanny Bridge has been of major public interest since it was introduced in the 1994 Community Plan, with a study report approved in 2002. Goals include improving pedestrian, cyclist and driver safety; making public transportation more effective with long-term strategic connectivity, reliability and travel times. It will also provide two viable emergency evacuation routes from the West Shore; lessen environmental impacts by reducing vehicle emissions and improving storm water treatment, according to a press release.

The project is currently under environmental review, which involves collecting field data necessary to develop required environmental and technical studies. An estimated completion date for drafts of the Technical Environmental and Engineering Studies is fall 2013 with release of a draft environmental document in winter 2014.

The project plans to address the iconic 84-year-old structurally deficient Fanny Bridge. It will also aid in alleviating present and future travel back-ups in and around the Tahoe City intersection where Highways 28 and 89 meet, the release stated. The project area includes State Route 89 into Tahoe City from the West Shore, the Truckee River Bridge and associated intersections and along State Route 89 entering into Tahoe City from Truckee and SR 28 from Kings Beach.

For more information, visit http://www.tahoetransportation.org or call 775-589-5500.