47°F
weather icon Mostly Clear

Series of storms heightened crashes; put road crews into overdrive

A series of three storms over a course of several days created headaches for state Department of Public Safety officials.

The wet and sometimes snowy and icy conditions created by the storm, which dropped 1.66 inches of rain on Pahrump over the four days, increased incidents on State Route 160 between Pahrump and Las Vegas and put road work crews into overdrive.

The Nevada Highway Patrol said that 15 crash incidents that occurred between Jan. 19 and Jan. 24 took place on SR-160, with the majority of those occurring between State Route 159 on the Vegas side of the hump and mile marker 16 on the Pahrump side.

NHP said that there were nine property damage crashes, six injury crashes and one vehicle fire during the storm period.

“Three of them (the injury crashes) were rollovers,” said Trooper Chelsea Stuenkel. “None with significant injuries.”

Nevada Department of Transportation crews put in longer hours while clearing the way on SR-160 in Mountain Springs.

“The department’s four-person Spring Mountain maintenance crew worked overtime, operating two snowplows around the clock and spreading about 100 cubic yards of something called ‘Ice Slicer’ over the roads,” said Tony Illia, NDOT spokesperson. It’s an all-natural, high-performance product that debonds ice from the road surface 65.3 percent more effectively than standard white salt, and melts up to double the snow and ice after one hour. It’s also 40 percent less corrosive than standard white salt, with a 14-degree lower freeze point.

“Crews normally work a four-day, 10-hour shift. Last week, however, crews plowed through the night and during the weekend.”

Results of the department’s overtime showed, as the highway never had to shut down and snow chains were never required during the three consecutive storms.

“(This is) despite seeing the most snow crew members I can remember seeing in nearly 10 years, “ Illia said.

The pair of widening projects on SR-160, one in town and one over the hump on the Las Vegas side, weren’t affected by the storms.

“The $3.49 million, 1.75-mile-long widening of Highway 160 between Rainbow Avenue and Calvada Boulevard will finish in April or May, depending upon the weather. There was no delay from the recent series of storms,” Illia explained. “It’s essentially finished, widened to four travel lanes with a center turn lane and flattened side slope shoulders for safer vehicle turnouts.”

Illia said all that remains is a final three-quarter-inch open grade concourse, which will be completed in the spring once the weather improves.

Cold weather can cause asphalt pavement to cool too quickly, making it difficult to achieve the proper compacted density.

“The end result is a rough rocky surface that retains water, ultimately reducing pavement’s life cycle,” he said. “There is still approximately four days of paving work left remaining, plus the final highway striping.”

As for the $16.5 million widening of SR-160 in southwest Clark County, that project also remains unimpacted by the storms.

“The five-mile-long project, expanding the highway from two lanes to four travel lanes between the Red Rock Canyon Road junction and mile marker 16.63, is still scheduled to finish in mid-April,” Illia said. “There were a few weather days; however, the project schedule anticipates six to eight days a year where construction will be curtailed by weather events.”

Contact reporter Mick Akers at makers@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @mickakers

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.