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Some bollards on Las Vegas Strip to be shortened for safety

Some of the steel posts the county has installed along Las Vegas Boulevard to improve pedestrian safety are generating complaints from motorists.

Clark County spokesman Dan Kulin said 283 of the 4,500 bollards — large steel posts aimed at protecting pedestrians on the Las Vegas Strip from vehicles traveling along one of the most famous roads in the world — will be shortened to address safety concerns.

“The bollards in question are generally around 54 inches tall,” Kulin said. “They are being cut down to 36 inches tall. This work should be done within the next 4-5 weeks.”

The bollards, which some drivers have called a visual obstruction, are located on some of the driveways to businesses between Tropicana Avenue and the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.

The steel barriers are connected underground. County officials say the bollards are strong enough to stop a flatbed truck traveling 55 mph.

Discussions regarding the installation of bollards started after a driver plowed into pedestrians on the sidewalk in front of the Paris Las Vegas and Planet Hollywood Resort in December 2015.

The steel barriers now can be found dotting areas of the Strip from Sahara Avenue on the north to the welcome sign on the south end.

A pilot program with the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada is also placing bollards at 20 bus stops in areas where crashes have occurred at or near where riders board and leave the buses.

Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.

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