April finish predicted for flyover

A lot of readers have been inconvenienced by the closures and lane restrictions associated with the Nevada Department of Transportation's Interstate 15 design-build south project during the past few weeks. In light of those issues, I'm going to start the day off addressing some requests for updates on the $250 million project.

Mark wants an update on Blue Diamond Road: I've noticed they have had several lane closures on Blue Diamond Road near Interstate 15, but it looks like they are close to finishing the bridge? When will it be completed?

The crews with Las Vegas Paving expect by April to finish the flyover that will guide eastbound traffic on Blue Diamond onto northbound Interstate 15, according to spokeswoman Sonja Ruffin. The "direct-connect" flyover is designed to alleviate congestion at the interchange.

With that said, don't expect the lane restrictions to end all together. There is still plenty of work to do at Blue Diamond. Crews also are building new roadways that will lead from Blue Diamond onto new frontage roads that will flank the freeway.

And John wants to know what is going on with Warm Springs Road: They just closed Warm Springs Road at Interstate 15. Can you tell me what is going on here?

We recently went over plans for the Warm Springs Road bridge, but because I just received some fresh information about the project, I thought I'd pass it along to residents in the southern end of the Las Vegas Valley who rely on this arterial.

As John mentioned, the bridge closed Monday. Crews will begin to tear down the Warm Springs span on Monday .

Ruffin said excavators equipped with hammers, pulverizers and shears will break the 50-year-old bridge apart and it will be taken down in sections.

Just a head's up, Interstate 15 will be completely closed during this project. Right now, Ruffin is saying the freeway will be closed during nighttime hours early next week (check Road Work Ahead). I suppose the good news is that crews hurriedly finished up ramp work at Interstate 215 and I-15 so the southbound I-15 ramp to eastbound 215 is back to two lanes.

Carolyn wants to know about Pebble: My neighbors and I would like to know when Pebble Road will be cleaned up. This mess has been going on for at least three months.

Carolyn, the mess will be short-lived, according to the city of Henderson. The city has been installing a 36-inch pipeline that will transfer reclaimed water from the new Southwest Water Reclamation Facility to a Henderson storage reservoir that will eventually serve water customers, according to city spokeswoman Kathleen Richards.

The installation of the pipeline on Pebble is a key component to the city's new wastewater treatment plant, which will begin operation this spring.

Richards said the installation of the pipe is a complex process involving installing valves and then testing the new line. If all goes well, the city expects to repave the road in mid-February and, much to the delight of Carolyn and her neighbors, reopen Pebble by the end of the month.

Eleanor wonders about some markings: On Decatur Boulevard, between Edna and Desert Inn Road, there are red, yellow and blue markings both letters and numbers written in spray paint on driveways. Obviously, the city, county or some utility is going to do some type of work. Can you find out what and when?

You are correct Eleanor, utility work is on its way. The Clark County Water Reclamation district marked the driveways to designate where each home's sewer line is located. They will begin working on the sewer lines in February. No road closures are expected, but there probably will be some lane restrictions. I couldn't track down further details of the project, but I will try to keep you posted in the Road Work Ahead column.

If you have a question, tip or tirade, call Adrienne Packer at (702) 387-2904, or send an e-mail to roadwarrior@reviewjournal.com. Include your phone number.