Question:
When I’m brave enough to drive (w) on Desert Inn towards Paradise I run into traffic, vehicles randomly merging, tons of speeding, and people using the emergency lane illegally. Is there any way to make this area of D.I. a safer and a more efficient route?

Answer:
I spoke with Metro Police, Conrad, and they encourage you to attend a meeting at an area command center on the first Tuesday of this month to voice your concerns.
Why? Because if these issues that you’re noticing on the road are valid, and from the looks of the footage we have, Conrad was not exaggerating,
then, the captain can put forth a DPA, or (directed patrol activity). This will target the designated area with more police looking for the problems that residents like you bring to their attention.
With the construction in this area, and all the commuters to the Resort Corridor, the congestion is likely to continue.
Brian

Question:
People used to 4-wheel and dump trash on Buffalo between Russell and Oquendo. Now they’re turning it into a real street. What’s the time frame for this?
Jane

Answer:
This was a dirt road for years. Now, any ATV’s are going to be replaced by actual cars.
This section of Buffalo is included in the PM 10 paving project, where various roads in the southwest part of the valley will get paved over.
Construction on this project started October 5th.
Most of the project should be complete by mid-February.
More good news in this area, work is also being done on Durango Drive from 215 south to Hacienda, which is estimated to be finished by late March.
Very good news for your SW valley commute, also making it easier to get to Opportunity Village Center nearby.
Brian

Question:
E. Viking between Eastern and Swenson is a mess! There are pot holes, dips, and uneven surfaces, and, it’s right near an elementary school! When will they fix this road?

Answer:
So we’re all on the same page, Viking Road is a stretch that runs parallel, and just north, of E. Flamingo.
I found that Viking is already included on a list of roads identified for pavement rehab, or resurfacing. I can’t tell you when that will happen, because before rehab, they need the dough to do it.
Public Works resurfaces roads that you might consider a mess, each year. They fix, or rehab, as many roads as their dollars allow.
It’s interesting that viewers keep noticing the same bad roads, but it’s frustrating that we have to wait for them to be fixed.
It always seems to come down to funding.
Brian

Question:
Why isn’t there a turn arrow at Desert Inn and Nellis? Turning onto Nellis from D.I. going north is nearly impossible at certain times of the day! It’s really frustrating when you use that light as often as I do.
Anonymous

Answer:
Good news, bad news scenario my anonymous friend.
Good news is because of your e-mail, this intersection has been added to a study list. Technicians gather data, then an engineer will review it, to determine if the signal needs to be fixed.
Bad news is based on the number of intersections that are currently on the study list, they won’t be able to start on this project until February.
Looks like a Spring, 2010 fix for this signal. Maybe then it’ll feel like a normal turning experience, not a daily test of your patience.
Brian

When are they going to fix the section of road north on Eastern in between Pebble and Wigwam? My car feels like it is going to fall apart everytime I drive on it!
Kasee

I drove this area and I agree with you Kasee. It’s in need of major work. It feels beat-up and bumpy.
Good news is that work is about to get underway. In January, 2010- the intersection that is frustrating you will be one of the project locations for the Recovery Construction Project.
What’s going to happen?
Roadways will be re-built, and pavement will be renewed with mill and slurry treatment which will smooth things out for you Kasee….and your car.
Brian

Question:
If drivers can access the Summerlin Parkway from US 95 north and travel under the Tenaya bridge, why can’t we access it from the south?
Sydney

Crews are still working on that half-mile of street improvements to connect Tenaya Way, up and over Summerlin Pkwy, to Washington.
To put up the temporary structures for the bridge/overpass construction, the US 95 southbound ramp was closed.
The ramp had to be closed because the bridgework being done was too close to the one westbound travel lane.
Traffic there moves at high speeds. there was worry about people not being able to see the work…..or the workers.
Although Sydney, you were traveling miles each morning, instead of a few blocks- it was done in the interest of safety.
But, your commute is about to get easier.
Good news…that ramp will reopen early Wednesday morning, Oct. 28.
Brian

Question:
I’ve heard all about the construction on Airport Connector, but am still using it this week and it’s really not that bad. Where and when does all this congestion start?

Answer:
Here’s your where and when, Matt.
As of 10/22/09, just north of the Sunset exit ramp, you’ll see cones in the far right lane. You can either exit Sunset, or you need to merge left, and that is where you’ll feel the slowdown.

Many of you have e-mailed me that once you get north of the tunnel; the Airport Connector is moving along at the same pace as usual. Not for long.

The far right lane of the three lanes coming out of the tunnel, part of the airport bypass, will be closed within weeks, which will slow you down even more. Those lane closures will continue to extend north, where the majority of the construction will take place. That’s when the congestion will really make your commute rough.
Brian

Question:
Where the 215 & I-15 exit onto Las Vegas Blvd there is only one left turn lane northbound. Every time I take this route it is backed up! Why is there not another turn lane?
Lock

Answer:
The county knows about this issue. The problem is the islands on Las Vegas Blvd. stick out to far to allow dual left turn lanes.
A project to widen Las Vegas Boulevard is in the final phase of project design, and will be underway in early 2010.
Las Vegas Blvd. will be widened to 6 lanes from Silverado Ranch to Sunset, and will include dual left turn lanes, the outer lane being a through lane. Any further frustration you experience when you exit Las Vegas Blvd. will be temporary. This problem is already on the way to being fixed.
Brian

Question:
I travel the Airport Connector to avoid some of the congestion on I-15, and noticed the lane striping badly needs attention. It’s faded out and hard to tell if you’re crossing into another lane. What can be done?
Gerald

Answer:
The striping gets taken off quickly on the Airport Connector. They just re-painted in July, but with heavy vehicles, and some 48 million annual passengers traveling this stretch- rutting happens quickly.

A major construction project begins today in the tunnel, and that means more heavy vehicles.

Don’t expect the striping to be clear and bold until the project is completed in summer, 2011.

The project is to improve roadway safety, and tie the tunnel into the terminal 3 roadway system.

If you, like Gerald, use the Airport Connector for a shortcut, that commuter convenience will be no longer, at least not until 2011.
Brian

Question:
I’m sure everyone has experienced the frustration of being stuck in the right lane when a bus stops and blocks all traffic. One stop, on Eastern Ave (S) just prior to the US 95 (N) on-ramp, is not just frustrating but downright dangerous! All traffic attempting to enter the freeway is forced to either wait behind the bus or swerve out around it. It’s an accident waiting to happen.
John

Answer:
The RTC installs bus turnouts wherever possible, for a greater buffer of one full lane between traffic and passengers.
Turnouts are required in new developments, but several areas of town, like Eastern & 95, were developed before transit service began in the valley. At the 95 & Eastern bus stop: there is not enough public right of way at this stop to allow for a bus turnout. The surrounding property is privately owned so a turnout is not possible in this location.
My advice to drivers: stop behind the bus the same way they would stop behind another vehicle at a red light.
Brian Loftus