The Regional Transportation Commission last week voted to start preparations to blade and chip seal Hafen Ranch Road south from Thorne Drive to Superior Lane.
The commission approved one of three options proposed by the Nye County Public Works Department to acquire right-of-way from two property owners and allow a cul-de-sac for school buses to turn around at the southern end at Superior Lane. The county also plans to straighten out the road, which requires motorists to take a slight jog.
“This is going to keep the road in the footprint and the current alignment pending right-of-way and right-of-way costs,” commission member Cameron McRae said.
Nye County Commission liaison Dan Schinhofen didn’t want to disclose the estimates to blade the road and chip seal it, for fear it will influence the bids. He said the county would use Secure Rural Schools funds and Regional Transportation Commission money generated by the four-cent local gas tax.
Road foreman Tim Carlo said some culverts in Tonopah could be used for drainage on this section of road.
“We’re doing that because it’s a school bus route and right now they have to do a three-point turn. We have to acquire some right-of-way on the west side of that road,” Schinhofen said afterwards, in explaining why this stretch of road has some priority for the RTC.