‘Significant’ impacts on county streets used during roundabout construction not anticipated

With the roundabout construction in full swing, larger vehicles, such as trucks, must travel on smaller county roads.

The $4.05 million project will improve a one-mile-long stretch of State Route 372, and create new roundabout intersections at Blagg Road and Pahrump Valley Boulevard. The Blagg Road roundabout will be a one-lane version, and the Pahrump Valley Boulevard will be two lanes.

Some, however, are worried that big vehicles will make an impact on the streets that are used for the detour.

“Their detour, they are destroying Basin (Avenue) and Lola (Lane), literally destroying the corner,” Pahrump resident Richard Goldstein said.

“My question to you people is once this construction is done, who is going to pay to redo Basin, redo Lola, redo Wilson and probably Big 5 too because it is going to be torn up just beyond repair,” said Goldstein at a recent commission meeting. “Is it going to be completely redone.”

County Public Works Director Tim Carlo said it’s too early to assess any damage to those streets.

Nevada Department of Transportation spokesman Tony Illia said the agency doesn’t anticipate a “significant” impact on nearby surface streets.

“Although surface street maintenance is the responsibility of Nye County (Department of) Public Works, the state will still clean up and resurface up to 500 feet of Blagg Road and Pahrump Valley Boulevard in each direction as a courtesy, creating smoother tie-ins and transitions onto State Route 372,” Illia said.

“We do not know absolutely the impact, but we will continue to work with NDOT on any mitigation that may be needed,” Commissioner Dan Schinhofen said.

During construction, tractor-trailers and over-dimensional trucks will be detoured along Highway 160 to West Basin Avenue to South Lola Lane onto State Route 372 through April 14, 2017, Illia said.

“This was the only viable detour route available; it was a decision that was reached with Nye County’s full cooperation, participation, and understanding. The department is only responsible for state-designated routes. West Basin Avenue and South Lola Lane are county owned and maintained; as such, they are responsible for their condition both before and after construction,” he said.

Construction-related impacts can vary depending upon the size, scale, location, and type of work, Illia said.

“We always try to address stakeholder concerns, making necessary accommodations whenever possible. The department strives to minimize impacts while still accomplishing work. Detour routes and lane restrictions are fairly commonplace for new construction within a developed corridor,” he said.

The project has a prescribed scope of work that doesn’t allow for additional construction, such as repaving of county roads, without additional funding, Illia added.

The construction of roundabouts began last week and is expected to be finished in April 2017.

Contact reporter Daria Sokolova at dsokolova@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @dariasokolova77