The Nevada Department of Transportation presented a series of proposed upgrades to a dangerous stretch of Highway 160 to the north of town at the Sept. 15 Board of County Commissioners meeting.
The $1.5 million project will implement new safety features to the section of Highway 160 near mile marker 26.5, known as “Johnnie Curve.”
Improvements call for extending the guardrail on both sides of the highway, adding a high-friction surface, and installing vehicle-actuated illuminated arrow signs.
Lori Campbell, NDOT project manager, explained that she was looking forward to one of the improvements more than the others.
“The one I am more excited about is to install a high-friction surface treatment throughout the curve,” Campbell said. “This is a recommendation of the Federal Highway Administration.
“The high-friction surface treatment is being recommended for curves and I think “Johnnie Curve” is a great location because it’s in between two very long straight stretches of highway. So when people aren’t expecting the curve it gives you more grip for those that are still going too fast when they enter the curve to help them maneuver themselves through the curve.”
The high-friction surface treatment applies a high quality aggregate to provide high levels of pavement friction. It is cited as a solution where insufficient friction is a contributing factor in crashes.
Benefits of the high-friction surface treatment are a decrease in crashes involving fatalities and serious injuries, durable, minimal impact on traffic, reality low cost and minimal environmental impacts.
“Other states are showing that it lasts for approximately eight-to-12 years,” Campbell said. “Which is pretty good for a surface treatment.”
The guardrail extension portion will entail an additional 173 feet on the leading side of the curve, and 23 feet on the trailing side of the curve.
The curve warning and guidance system warns and guides motorists through a curve when activated by directing the chevrons to flash sequentially providing a “pull-through” effect.
The chevrons will be solar powered and will not require AC power, which results in no electrical costs and no restrictions on where they can be placed.
“The one thing that I think is beneficial is that it can be installed anywhere,” Campbell said.
The last upgrades to the road were done several years ago, when the guardrail was extended and rumble strips were placed in the center divider of the road.
Plans also call for widening the left and right-hand turns at the U.S. 95 / S.R. 160 intersection. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2016.
NDOT urges motorists to use caution while traveling through project work zones, heed construction signage, and take alternate routes, if possible. For the latest traffic updates, please visit nvroads.com.