Nevada transportation officials have approved $36.2 million to build a bike and walking trail at Lake Tahoe along a busy stretch of highway connecting Incline Village to Sand Harbor State Park.

Project manager Nick Johnson told the state transportation board the 3-mi.-long shared use path will improve safety along state Route 28 where a number of accidents occur each year.

A pedestrian tunnel will pass beneath the highway near Hidden Beach just north of the popular state park.

Parking will be banned along the highway, but pullouts are being created for public buses to drop off beach-goers.

The Nevada Appeal reports the work began last year with initial construction of the parking lot and installation of sediment control.

Johnson said his goal is to complete the project by the end of next year.