Can you check on the status of the project at Rancho and Oakey? Of course I live nearby, and construction there is driving me crazy!
There have been some consistent closures on Oakey, between Rancho and Valley View, that can make commuting in this area a bit of a challenge.
Denise

The closures are due to the installation of a storm drainage system.
Right now, Oakey, between Rancho and Strong, is closed to westbound travel weekdays from 6:30am to 3pm.
Some relief here Denise, that temporary closure is only in place until Dec.5.
But, kind of one step forward, one step back here, because…
once construction is to the point that the westbound lanes can open, there will be a similar closure for eastbound travel for a period of time.
How long will this drive you crazy?
The entire project should be completed in mid-January.
Brian

Construction drives me crazy! I drive through the I-15 widening daily, and want to know what they’re doing on Bonanza, and when they’ll be done- not only with that road, but the whole project?
Katie

Part of the I-15 Design Build project involved reconstructing an old bridge at Bonanza, and, adding a new connection road, linking D Street and F Street.
Bonanza is reduced to one lane in each direction at I-15 until December 10th.
Once all the work is done, you, Katie, and the other 170,000 that travel this 5.5 mile stretch should have a shorter travel time.
Instead of fighting for room on 6 lanes, the area between US 95 at the Spaghetti Bowl to Lake Mead Blvd. will be widened to 10 lanes.
This 242 million dollar project is expected to be complete by Fall, 2010.
Brian

Heading south on Fort Apache, near Sunset, there is a huge dip in the middle of the road that bottoms out when driven over. Can they at least level that until they figure out when they’re going to finish the job?
Amber

The work here has been stalled due to the local economy.
The construction was being done by a private developer. The project is called Longford Hills.
I was told the developers are still trying to keep the driving conditions acceptable there.
Those who drive this area would probably find issue with that.
Inspectors have been working with the developer to fix the roadway issues.
A top priority is that sunken area on Fort Apache.
The developer’s permit is still valid, but, the county has taken steps to claim the permit if the work is not completed within a certain time frame.
Brian

I live in the southwest part of town and I’ve noticed that on the light pole at Durango and Robindale, there is a bright blue light. Not knowing what it is drives me crazy! What is it?
Michele

Michele, that blue mystery is an indicator light that helps police catch drivers who run reds.
Basically, the police officer waits in a safe location off the street where he or she can observe the blue light.
When the red traffic signal comes on, so does the blue indicator light. The officer can then determine if a driver entered the intersection on the red light.
A big benefit is police can tell whether vehicles are running the red light from either side of the intersection.
Brian

I’ve been noticing an issue with the left turn signal from westbound Cheyenne onto southbound Simmons. The other lights will cycle two or three times while the traffic keeps lining up without a green at this light!
Joseph

Your e-mail resulted in technicians heading out and reviewing this signal.
They found the problem you described.
The issue here is actually weather related.
The bright sun is impacting the traffic detection ability of the signal.
Joseph was experiencing this problem during his morning commute, and at 7am the glare of the sun on the pavement was actually “blinding” the video detector for the westbound left turn lane.
The video detector is now disabled between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. and the signal is automatically displaying the westbound left turn lane arrow, regardless of whether there is any traffic in the left turn lane.
All the commuters who use this intersection thank you, Joseph, for bringing this attention to light.
Brian

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