If you’ve driven into Incline Village from Mt. Rose Highway or the King's Beach area, you’ve experienced the "Gateway to Lake Tahoe," one of the most recognizable entrances to the North Shore.

What began as a community-driven idea in 2007 became a reality in 2012, when the roundabout was constructed to improve traffic flow and safety. Shortly after, local residents came together again to fund the bronze animal sculptures that now define the space, created by renowned artist June Towill Brown.

Today, more than three million people pass through this intersection each year. Now, 14 years later, the roundabout is entering its next phase.

Incline Village Main Street, a program of the IVCBA, is leading a series of improvements designed to enhance both safety and aesthetics. The updated plan includes new landscaping, irrigation, raised visibility, and repositioning of the bronze sculptures - all designed to better reflect the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe. Like the original project, this effort is powered by community support.

Here is a historical snapshot: 

• 2007: Local resident Don Kanare envisions a roundabout while sitting in traffic at Mt. Rose Highway and Tahoe Boulevard - an idea inspired by his cat, Spumoni.
• 2007: The concept gains traction during the Incline Visioning Process and receives early support from the community’s Infrastructure Committee.
• 2007–2012: Years of planning, collaboration, and coordination with public agencies move the project forward.
• 2012: The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) constructs the roundabout as part of broader roadway improvements on the North Shore.
• 2012: The new traffic circle improves traffic flow, reduces idling, and enhances safety at a previously congested intersection.
• 2012: A community-led fundraising effort brings the space to life with bronze animal sculptures by local artist June Towill Brown.
• 2012: Local donors, businesses, and organizations contribute funding, materials, and labor - including $110,000 raised for the public art installation.
• October 2012: The Gateway to Lake Tahoe is formally dedicated as a symbolic entrance to Incline Village and Crystal Bay.
• 2012–Present: The roundabout becomes a defining landmark, welcoming more than three million visitors annually.
• 2022: Incline Village Main Street is established under IVCBA, focusing on placemaking and community-driven improvements.
• 2023–Present: Planning begins for roundabout enhancements to address aging landscaping, safety concerns, and irrigation needs.

The community is once again coming together to fund and complete the next phase of improvements. Significant progress has already been made, but the project is seeking additional funding to reach completion. Support the project here: [LINK]

Want to read more about the project? Check out this article: The Gateway to the North Shore of Lake Tahoe: A Community Vision, 18 Years in the Making

This is one of those projects that quietly shapes how people experience Lake Tahoe - whether it’s their first visit or their hundredth. And it’s a reminder of what this community can accomplish when it comes together.

----


Kristie Wells is a real estate agent specializing in Incline Village and Crystal Bay on Lake Tahoe’s North Shore. She offers buyers and sellers expert guidance, market insight, and a thoughtful approach to Tahoe real estate, along with a curated perspective on local homes, hidden gems, and life in the mountains.