UPDATE: I-80 and Hwy 50 Reopen in Sierra, But Travelers Urged to Stay Home
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE (CBS13/CBS SF) — While the major Sierra highways had reopened as of Wednesday morning, officials are urging people to stay home to keep traffic to a minimum.
Both eastbound and westbound Interstate 80 were reopened by Tuesday evening after a days-long closure that began during the holiday weekend. Chain controls remain in effect from Colfax to the Nevada State Line.
Highway 50 remained open up to the Nevada State Line, but Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak issued an emergency order to close US-50 at the state line Tuesday night, meaning only Nevada residents will be let through for the time being. All other recreational traffic is being turned back at the state line.
For Highway 50, chain controls are in effect three miles east of Placerville to Meyers.
Caltrans working around the clock to keep US-50 & I-80 open but we need YOUR HELP. Do NOT travel unless it is essential. Expecting more heavy snow.❄️When the highways are full of motorists we aren't able to plow the roadways as fast. Avoid traveling TODAY. Don't crowd the plow.???? pic.twitter.com/3XdZlbWnWs
— Caltrans District 3 (@CaltransDist3) December 29, 2021
The Placer County Sheriff was also discouraging non-essential travel on I-80, noting that the additional cars were "creating a major backup for emergency responders and hampering their ability to do their job."
I-80 at Heather Glen right now. PLEASE STAY OFF THE INTERSTATE IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ESSENTIAL NEEDS FOR TRAVEL. It is creating a major backup for emergency responders and hampering their ability to do their job and get to where they need to go. #cawx #snow #PlacerCounty #PCSO pic.twitter.com/fP6yaDYfDF
— Placer Sheriff (@PlacerSheriff) December 29, 2021
Heavy snow coated the roadway, with downed trees also proving to be a major issue for Caltrans crews as they worked to get I-80 reopened over the past several days.
Another storm was hitting the Northern California coast on Wednesday morning, and was projected to move inland and add to the already impressive snow totals from the past week.
Highway 50 was reopened first on Tuesday, but people trying to go around the I-80 closure meant massive gridlock along the South Lake Tahoe corridor.