Tropicana underpass remains a hazard

By Tony Illia
Special to the Review-Journal

     
     After reading Glenn Puit's Jan. 17 article on traffic-related fatalities, I felt compelled to mention the West Tropicana railroad underpass, one of our busiest thoroughfares, which has been hit more times than any other structure in Clark County -- 10 times within the past year alone.
      In fact, a backhoe was lodged at the underpass in December during rush hour.
      The massive influx of tourists and new residents to Las Vegas has created a traffic dilemma which can best be described as difficult, demanding and dangerous. At 5 p.m. on a Las Vegas Friday, it will test the limits of human patience and suffering. Certainly, there is nothing more frustrating then when a careless accident has occurred, clogging the roadways.
      According to Pat Gourley from Clark County Traffic Management, "The Tropicana pass seems to get hit on a weekly and sometimes daily basis." The underpass was originally built for $3.4 million in 1982 by Clark County. However, the structure itself remains the sole property and responsibility of Union Pacific Railroad. And every time someone hits it, a railroad official has to come out and inspect the integrity of the structure.
      Needless to say, the process has proven costly. "There has been (more than) a half million dollars worth of damage done to that pass," states Union Pacific area manager Jerry Parker, who speculates the structure has been struck no fewer than 43 times. As a result, the railroad has spent $30,000 to erect the two giant steel girders at the mouth of each entrance. Although they have been in place since December 1996, the underpass still proves to be a recurring hazard. Trucks transporting construction machinery, such as backhoes, are the prime culprits.
      The posted height clearances read 14 feet westbound and 14 feet, 6 inches eastbound. The Nevada Department of Transportation requires any vehicle over 14 feet traveling on a state route (Tropicana Avenue is also SR 593) to purchase an oversize permit from the state. Once the permit is acquired, then the vehicle is properly routed to avoid such low clearances. In other words, anyone who hits the railroad underpass is probably illegal.
      Clark County has now become involved, installing two load height detectors, one at Valley View and Tropicana, the other at Wynn and Tropicana. The construction cost is approximately $35,000 and the project is expected to be completed by late March. The load height detectors look like modified street lamps equipped with radar. When a vehicle of more than 14 feet approaches the detector, an overheight sign with flashing light will let the driver know to take an alternate route. Unfortunately, overheight trucks will be forced to make a U-turn over the median, which might cause additional traffic woes.
      But until the height detectors become operational, the safest solution is also the simplest: measure the height of your vehicle before driving over the roadway. The extra time spent can not only prevent embarrassing accidents, but the possibility of serious injuries and costly fines.
     
     Tony Illia is public relations director for the Associated General Contractors.