On Warm Springs between Durango & Fort Apache there are missing lane lines. heading west from Durango three lanes are divided by lane ‘bumps,’ then just past the Vons, there is nothing! A couple blocks down some lanes appear again- what is going on!
Leigh Ann

Public works did a study of Fort Apache and Warm Springs, and they agree with you Leigh Ann.
They’re going to re-stripe Warm Springs, westbound from Durango to three lanes, and eastbound to two lanes.
A majority of the roadway will be separated with a two-way left turn lane.
They’re also improving the median on Warm Springs to allow easier left turns from Durango into the Vons there.
This project is going out to bid for construction early January, 2010.
Brian

Since the express lanes are in place, I was wondering if the far left lane on I-15 is still used as a travel lane for emergency crews and work crews? Also, if the far left lane was the #1 travel lane that drivers would get in to pass others- what is now the passing lane?
Rose

The far left lane on I-15 is open to all vehicles. Therefore it can be used by emergency crews and work crews, when needed.
In terms of passing other vehicles, the far left of the two express lanes would be the passing lane, and the far left of the general purpose lanes acts as that passing lane.
Brian

I have a problem with the intersection of Rainbow & Russell. When going north on Rainbow, around 5:15pm, the left turn lane for Russell only lasts long enough for a maximum of 4 cars to get through. Can you check into this?
Terry

At this intersection, at this time of day, it’s actually normal for only 4 cars to get through that light.
FAST studies intersections to make decisions about the timing of traffic signals.
The decision here is that- the short left turn light is to accommodate larger traffic volumes heading north-south on Rainbow, and east-west on Russell.
An example: if a large number of cars were getting through that left turn lane each light cycle- westbound travel on Russell would be that much slower.
It is all done in the interests of keeping traffic flowing.
Or, as flowing as a drive home after work can be.
Brian

How does this mobile strip club get around the seatbelt law? Is riding in the back of a truck legal for adults? I couldn’t help but notice how the girls were grabbing for stability when the truck was stopping.
Karin

Here’s your answer Karin…
Those mobile dancers are allowed to dance freely, without the constraints of a seatbelt, because not wearing a seatbelt is a secondary offense. Not a primary offense.
That means there has to be an offense other than failure to wear a seat belt to pull over the vehicle.
You are allowed to move freely in the back of a truck if you’re over 18.
Legally, the dancers are, in a way, like people in the back of an RV or a camper- moving about in the living area without a seatbelt.
They were just using their version of a living area in a bit of a different way.
Brian

Two bridge questions: Will the County ever build a bridge over the flood channel that dead ends Sunset between Jones and Decatur? How about a bridge by the railroad tracks just east of Decatur where Sunset Road is a dead end?
Frank

On your first question frank, the answer is no bridge, but there are plans for an improved roadway.
Yes on the second question…
A project is in design for Sunset, from Decatur to Valley View. There will be a six-lane roadway under the railroad.
The railroad will be separated from the road so you won’t have to stop at the tracks.
This is great news for travel in this area, and as an alternate when there are issues on the 215 Beltway.
It’ll likely be on the construction list for 2010, but when will it be finished- that’s going to come down to funding.
Brian

Driving east on I-215 toward the I-515/US 95 interchange, there is a Las Vegas sign that moves vehicles to the right lane, when you need to be in the middle lane to make the correct turn. Any idea when this will be fixed?
Gary

This question actually comes from our own 8 news now anchor Gary Waddell.
This frustrating problem, which can send commuters into the wrong lane if they do what the sign is telling them to do, is days away from being fixed. The wrong way sign, will be made right, next weekend.
Sign replacement work will take place November 21st and 22nd, from 9pm to 5am.
Your alternate route:
Exit off 215 at Gibson road and take Auto Show Drive or Horizon Ridge to US 95.
Brian

I drive a very small car and it drives me crazy when bumper buzzards tailgate or ride my bumper. They are endangering the lives of others by doing this!
Francie

Very true! Rear end collisions are the second highest crash type for injury, accounting for 35 percent of all crashes.
You can always practice the 3-second rule. When the car in front of you passes something, you should be able to count to 3 before you pass.
Or, keep 2 car lengths between you and the car in front of you.
Also, you should be able to see the car’s rear tires in front of you when stopped.
Stopping a vehicle involves reaction time and braking time. Normal reaction time is 2.5 seconds.
At 55 miles per hour, it takes a driver 6.6 seconds or 370 feet to stop. This is 70 feet longer than a football field.
This is even more of an issue when the weather changes, especially during the first freeze in December.
Brian

Driving in Henderson on Spencer towards St. Rose the roads divided lanes just disappear, and then magically reappear after Catcus. I usually just stay in the pretend right lane, but it’s really a free for all. What is the proper way to proceed?
Brenda

The “proper way to proceed” when there are no lane markings is to “drive to the right of the center.”
Low volume roads such as these are not required to have lane markings. This portion where it stops and starts is due to an undeveloped parcel, or section. Developers build the roadway improvements, and it looks like they didn’t finish.
Public works is sending a traffic tech out to review this section of Spencer.
Again…roads that don’t get high volume sometimes don’t have lane markings. If so, always drive to the right of the center.
Brian

I commute on Eastern between Sahara and US 95 every afternoon. It usually takes 12 minutes to drive that distance. Lately it’s been taking half an hour! The lights seem to be mistimed. If it doesn’t change I’ll have to find a new way to get to the freeway.
Liz

Ok, we’re talking about a stretch that is less than 2 miles. 30 minutes to drive 2 miles!
That is pretty much ridiculous. I could jog it faster than that, and I’m slow.
Good news though Liz- the Regional Transportation Commission was all over your question.
The RTC oversees the coordination of 1,200 traffic signals. There are several hubs located throughout the valley, and each hub is responsible for 100 traffic signals.
The reason it was taking Liz 30 minutes to drive less than two miles is that a hub in that area was down, impacting the timing of the clocks, and causing traffic signals to be off.
Thanks to Liz, and RTC’s quick action, that hub is now fixed.
Brian

MLK has horrible lane shifts at both the Vegas Dr. and Bonanza intersections. Drivers on the road don’t follow the shifts, and proceed straight from the left turn lanes nearly hitting the drivers who are following lane shifts. Yes, there’s construction, but it does not help that the shifts and new turn lanes are not well defined.
Diane

Because of your e-mail, the city’s Traffic Division inspected this location. They found the signs, barricades, and lane striping are all in order for ongoing construction.
They asked that commuters continue to follow the lanes that are in place.
But, since you Diane, and others, have reported that drivers disregard direction signs and lane striping- the city contacted Metro Police to ask them to patrol this area more frequently.
Brian