58°F
weather icon Mostly Cloudy

Damaged Beatty Cutoff may reopen soon to relieve local businesses

BEATTY — The road into Death Valley from Beatty may be open by the end of this month, according to information from the National Park Service.

The expected opening date will be determined after the contractor, Steve Manning Construction, Inc. has begun work on site.

The company is scheduled to start mobilizing on Friday, Sept. 9, and the Beatty Cutoff is the first road they are scheduled to work on.

Funding for the project is part of $11.7 million in “Quick Release” U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration emergency funds released on Aug. 15 for road repair work needed after the flash flood of Aug. 5, now officially recognized as the rainiest day in the recorded history of Death Valley.

“The quick release funds we are providing will help get those repairs done as soon as possible and better prepare this area for future floods,” acting federal highway administrator Stephanie Pollack said.

It is expected that when the Beatty Cutoff first opens there will be short sections of gravel road, still passable by passenger vehicles. The road will then go to bid for permanent repairs, with the same company expected to be among the bidders. That is the part of the work that has an eight-month estimate for completion.

The contract specifies that during that final phase of the work one lane will always be kept open for traffic.

The “Quick Release” funds are seen as an “initial installment,” with additional funding coming from the Federal Highway Administration’s emergency relief program. One aim of that program is for repairs, where possible, to “incorporate resilience in the design, restoration and repair of damaged infrastructure, to better withstand future damage from climate change and future weather events.”

This may or may not mean that the Beatty Cutoff will be more resistant to flood damage as a result of the repairs. It may not be possible or economically feasible, given the topography involved and the need to preserve the natural features of the landscape. It is something that will be watched with interest by residents of Beatty.

Richard Stephens is a freelance reporter living in Beatty.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Beatty Clinic gets tons of help with new a/c

BEATTY — The Beatty Foundation, an affiliate of AngloGold-Ashanti (AGA), did tons of good at the Beatty Clinic on March 22. Nine tons, exactly.

11th Annual Chili Cook-Off brings tempting tastings and festival fun

The 11th Annual International Chili Society and Silver State Chili Cook-Off took over Petrack Park this past weekend for three days filled with savory tastings, fun and activities and of course, some intense culinary competition.

Pahrump homeschoolers dance the night away

Pahrump Valley’s homeschool youth were whisked away into the Enchanted Forest this month, with local Moose Lodge #808 hosting a night of dancing and revelry in honor of an age-old adolescent right-of-passage, prom.

Looking for some family fun for Easter? Hop over to Simkins Park

Anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly festivity to enjoy this holiday can hop on over to Simkins Park to join the Mills family as they celebrate Easter Sunday with worship music, free food and an enormous 14,000-egg hunt that is sure to bring a smile to hundreds of faces.

Campground fees to increase at Death Valley National Park

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — Visitors to Death Valley National Park can expect a slight increase in entrance fees for various campgrounds beginning on May 1.

Clerk staffer Cori Freidhof appointed interim leader

Nye County Clerk Mark Kampf’s time in office officially comes to a close on March 31 and deputy clerk Cori Freidhof has now been selected to assume that vacated seat. Freidhof will take over the office as of Monday, April 1 and fulfill the unexpired term ending Jan. 1, 2027.

Gaming can have impact on us

When does gaming cross the line from recreational relaxation to problematic behavior? How do video games and gambling relate? What resources are available for those who find themselves struggling to control their relationship with video games and gambling?

County eyeing impact fee increases

The cost to develop in Pahrump could go up, with a public hearing on a proposal to raise local impact fees set for next month.

Here’s who filed as political candidates in Nye County

Locals have filed their political candidacy as of March 15 and this year two major offices in Nye County will be up for grabs in the general election. Nye County residents have to first narrow down their preferred party candidate on June 11 in the primary and then vote in November to support their preferred candidates.