Improvements planned for entrance area to fairgrounds

With the holiday season just a few months months away, officials are pushing to expedite several road projects throughout Nye County.

Among them are the recently approved approach into the Pahrump Fairgrounds and several roads in southern and northern parts of the county that were discussed during the last Regional Transportation Commission meeting.

Nye County Public Works Department road Superintendent Tim Carlo said there's still no firm start date on the approach into the fairgrounds that are used as a public facility for shooting fireworks throughout the year. The site currently has temporary culverts for motorists.

"Once the project is awarded at the BOCC level prices, (it) will be available," Carlo said, adding that the project is still in the design phase.

Commissioner Dan Schinhofen questioned how long it would take to get Fox (Road) done at least to the parking lot of the fairgrounds.

"I think, let's get Fox (Road) done, let's get that engineered to the parking lot, because we are using it now, we expect a lot of people for New Year's at the fireworks site. … I doubt we are going to get it done that quick, but next year, if we get it done by the Fourth of July, that would really be good," Schinhofen said.

According to the data presented at the meeting, the drainage costs associated with the repair of Fox Road are going to be around $80,000 due to the silty segments of the outlying area. Officials nonetheless noted that they are trying to eliminate some of those expenses.

"The original design for Fox Road called for a 180-feet long concrete low water crossing with the upstream side having a 30-inch concrete kicker," Carlo said. "If we can reduce the amount of concrete, the outcome will be less labor intensive and less concrete, (and) therefore, less money expended on the project."

Carlo also said that the Nye County Public Works Department is currently in the preliminary design phase for improvements to the section between Gamebird and Manse roads.

Additionally, the department will begin to work on Pablo Canyon Road located near Round Mountain in May 2016.

"We will chip over existing pavement for approximately 10,200 feet to prolong the lifespan of the road," Carlo said.

Prior to starting on the projects, officials plan to run several test samples in the area.