US 95 between Calif., Searchlight to be repaved under contract

A deteriorated stretch of U.S. Highway 95 will be repaved between Loran Station Road at the northern edge of Searchlight to the state border with California, under a contract approved Monday by the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Aggregate Industries was awarded a $19.8 million contract to start construction in late October on the project, which calls for asphalt paving, drainage upgrades, fencing and installing fences meant to protect desert tortoises.

The 7.8-mile highway segment was last upgraded 10 years ago, NDOT spokesman Tony Illia said. Drivers should expect minor delays until construction wraps up by late summer 2018.

The NDOT board voted 6-1 to approve the contract, with Controller Ron Knecht opposed.

Knecht said the contract should have been awarded to California-based Security Paving Co., which bid $18.9 million to complete the work.

However, that figure was increased because of a Nevada law requiring all public projects in Nevada to add 5 percent to bids placed by out-of-state contactors. The policy, known as “bidders preference,” aims to give priority to contractors that are based in Nevada for at least five years.

Contact Art Marroquin at amarroquin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0336. Find @AMarroquin_LV on Twitter.