Oh, that freeway out there is frightful!
Apparently, I am not the only driver in these parts who is afraid to navigate St. Rose Parkway, especially making turns off the speedway or taking a deep breath and making a left turn at an intersection not controlled by traffic signals. Rob, here, also has his concerns.
I live in the south valley and want to know if there are plans to install a signal at St. Rose and Maryland parkways. It seems like they dig around every few months and there are two of the four posts up, but nothing. It's getting quite dangerous to negotiate a left turn from Maryland to eastbound St. Rose.
I can relate, Rob. As I mentioned recently, St. Rose Parkway has turned into a freeway, and any intersection not controlled by a traffic signal is frightening. The Nevada Department of Transportation oversees St. Rose Parkway - also known as state Route 146 - but said it has no plans to install a traffic light.
Thankfully, I reached out to the city of Henderson, and its spokeswoman, Kathleen Richards, said there are indeed plans to install lights at the intersection. The Regional Transportation Commission is funding the project, so the time frame is dependent on when the money becomes available.
Judy seeks warnings of relief: Why are there no signs going east or west on Highway 160 just east of Mountain Pass, announcing the rest area on the north side of the highway? Are there plans to erect some? I sure hope so.
I'm sorry to deliver this news, Judy, but there is no relief in sight. According to Damon Hodge, what you are seeing east of the highway is not actually a rest stop. The land is owned by the Bureau of Land Management, and there are no facilities there.
Most times I'll take a drive to check out what readers are referring to, but in this case, time was tight, Judy, so I apologize. If we're talking about the same "rest area," it's really a dirt lot that many hikers use to park their vehicles near a trailhead.
Norm's not a fan: The Summerlin Parkway eastbound starting just before the Buffalo Drive overpass has just been repaved and has a built-in washboard. Very poor construction!
Well, Norm, now that the new high-occupancy vehicle lanes and flyover linking Summerlin Parkway to U.S. Highway 95 are completed, you will start seeing those lanes get a new coat of asphalt. By the end of the summer, you should be pleased with the smooth ride.
Sherry is caught in the confusion: There are two turning lanes from Horizon Ridge Parkway north onto Carnegie Street, but once you make the turn, the road quickly turns to one lane for less than half a block. Then, Carnegie goes back to two lanes. Can't Henderson find some money to pave this small patch of road? This is a long-standing problem that causes confusion and potential accidents every day.
Sherry, according to the folks in the city of Henderson, this is indeed a two-lane road along that stretch. The land along that portion of Carnegie Street is undeveloped, and full improvements are the responsibility of the developers when they begin building.
It could appear to be a one-lane road because the markings are faded, and Henderson engineers said they would go check it out. It is also confusing because that one small stretch lacks curbs and gutters. Hopefully, they will slap some new striping down and alleviate the confusion as well as the congestion.
Sam asks: I saw in one of your recent "Road Work" columns plans to use crown rubber on Interstate 15. What exactly is that and how is it different from traditional asphalt?
The state Department of Transportation used this newer surfacing on the northern portion of Interstate 15, north of Tropicana up to the Spaghetti Bowl. Motorists have complimented the new surfacing, saying that it is far smoother than asphalt.
The recent notice said it was being applied to the ramp from Interstate 15 south to eastbound Interstate 215.
It is primarily made of melted down recycled tires and is far better for the environment. For example, a one-mile lane with a 2-inch thick overlay consumes approximately 2,000 tires. It is also less expensive than oil-based materials, especially with the constant fluctuation of the price of oil.
If you have a question, tip or tirade, call Adrienne Packer at 702-387-2904, or send an email to roadwarrior@reviewjournal.com. Include your phone number.
• Through Friday, expect delays and detours as southbound Interstate 15 will be closed between Lake Mead Boulevard and Cheyenne Avenue from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews are working on the Fifth Street Bridge.
• Through Aug. 10, Betty Lane will be closed to through traffic between Harris and Washington avenues for sewer rehabilitation work.
• Through Aug. 31, expect delays on Shadow Lane between Charleston Boulevard and Alta Drive. The work includes street widening, replacement of sewer lines and upgrading of traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Expect delays on Oakey Boulevard between Rancho Drive and Decatur Boulevard through the summer as storm drain work continues.
• Expect delays on Boulder Highway at Sahara Avenue through August as crews work on a sewer rehabilitation project.
GASOLINE PRICES
The average price of gasoline in the Las Vegas Valley on Tuesday was $3.37 per gallon; the current state average is $3.43; the national average is $3.53.
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
