Carson City area road report for week of May 20-26

Here is the Carson City area road report for the week of May 20-26, 2024. Closures are expected at the following locations due to road and utility work:

2nd Street between Carson Street and Curry Street will be closed to westbound traffic from April 8, 2024 to June 30, 2025 for construction.

Lane restrictions are expected at the following locations due to road/utility work:
— Carson Street between Adams Street and Park Street will have reduced southbound lanes from Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

— The bike lane on Carson Street, south of Stewart Street, will be closed from Monday to Thursday, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Car traffic will not be affected.

— Stewart Street between Park Street and John Street will be closed to southbound traffic on Thursday, from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Follow detour.

— William Street between Roop Street and Saliman Road will have shoulder work on the eastbound side of the street. The bike path will be closed and trucks will be entering and exiting the roadway from Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 5:30 pm.

Elsewhere, beginning Monday, May 20, single lane closures will take place on U.S. 395 south of Gardnerville in Douglas County as the Nevada Department of Transportation begins roadway repaving as part of a continuing highway improvement project.

Beginning May 20 through August, single lane closures will take place on one-mile sections of U.S. 395 from the Nevada-California state line to Ray May Way between 6a.m.-8p.m. weekdays. Traffic flaggers and pilot cars will alternate directions of traffic through the work zone. Reduced work zone speed limits will be in place.

Motorists should anticipate travel delays of up to 30 minutes, and are reminded to drive safely and follow all traffic signage. The road work schedule is subject to change based on weather and other factors.

NDOT will reconstruct the aging roadway surface of U.S. 395 between the Nevada-California state line and Ray May Way. Two inches of aging roadway surface will be removed and repaved with nearly three inches of new asphalt.

As part of the project, the existing northbound passing lane near Pine Valley Road will also be extended by approximately one and a half miles, providing additional designated passing opportunities.

The existing 55mph speed limit on some sections of the roadway will also be updated to 65mph. With the vast majority of drivers traveling well over the currently-posted 55mph speed limit, the speed limit modifications are aimed at further harmonizing average travel speeds and reducing the potential of unsafe passing and other crashes related to incongruent travel speeds.

Two speed feedback signs will also be installed to help motorists ensure that they are not exceeding a safe speed. Using radar, these signs display vehicle travel speeds back to the motorist, along with the posted speed limit.
The project represents an approximate $21 million investment in preserving and enhancing U.S. 395 south of Gardnerville.

Brief shoulder and single lane closures have periodically been in place since early March as crews made initial roadside improvements.

Commercial Vehicles Prohibited on State Route 431 May 21-23 as Truck Escape Ramp Undergoes Maintenance

Commercial vehicles with air brakes will be prohibited traveling westbound over State Route 431 (Mt. Rose Highway) as the truck escape ramp in Incline Village is temporarily closed for maintenance May 21-23.

The truck escape ramp on westbound SR 431 near Second Creek Drive in Incline Village will be closed 24/7 May 21-23 for maintenance. Commercial vehicles with air brakes will be prohibited from traveling westbound over Mt. Rose Highway further than the Mt. Rose ski area. The commercial vehicle closure is a safety precaution to prevent trucks traveling down the mountain potentially encountering brake issues while the ramp is closed for maintenance. Trucks will be allowed traveling eastbound from Incline Village to Reno.

The truck ramp uses a series of six pre-tensioned drag nets to catch the front grill of runaway vehicles and help safely absorb the impact to slow, then ultimately stop, the vehicle. The asphalt surface of the truck ramp is heated to ensure that snow or ice does not hamper use of the nets during winter months.

The truck escape ramp is one of multiple escape ramps across Nevada. The ramps are located adjacent to steep downgrades for out-of-control vehicles to slow and stop away from other vehicles more safely. Any vehicle experiencing braking problems can use a truck ramp.

Avoid Needing a Truck Escape Ramp
— Have your vehicle serviced and maintained regularly.
— Use provided brake check areas located near mountain summits and tops of steep grades to verify that your equipment and vehicle is in proper working condition.
— Be familiar with the road and grades and load your vehicle accordingly.
— Operate your vehicle on downgrades using recommended gears and speeds to help avoid excessive brake temperatures.

If You Must Use a Truck Escape Ramp
— Use a truck escape ramp if you are having difficulty slowing your vehicle or experience brake loss.
— Enter in line with the ramp and as close to center as possible.
— Contact Nevada DOT after you have used a Nevada truck escape ramp.
— Contact a tow truck company after you have used a truck escape ramp to remove your vehicle, and have any faulty vehicle brakes repaired before driving again.

Don’ts of Using a Truck Escape Ramp
— Do not avoid using a truck escape ramp for fear of possible damage to your vehicle. Damage to vehicles from gravel beds is negligible compared to the potential damage caused by not using a truck escape ramp.
— Do not try and drive out of the ramp yourself. Trying to drive out may only cause further damage to your vehicle.
— Do not wait in your vehicle while it is in the truck ramp.
— Do not use the truck escape ramp paved entry as a rest stop or parking area. Runaway vehicles are traveling at very high speeds and have limited ability to avoid parked vehicles in their path.