Cajon Pass still undergoing repairs

Linda wants to know about the Cajon Pass, and she’s not alone: I know this isn’t exactly your area, but can you tell me if there is still construction going on at Cajon Pass in California?

This is slightly (150 miles or so) outside our circulation area, but we are all affected because Interstate 15 is a critical link between our crazy city and the peaceful Pacific Ocean. So, here’s the deal. The California Department of Transportation is still repairing asphalt damaged by recent storms.

They have been working consistently on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., but that is always subject to change. Crews are working on the northbound lanes and the highway is reduced to two lanes during the days I mentioned. That is actually good news. A few weeks ago, when the southbound lanes were being repaired, traffic was forced to one lane and this, according to Caltrans, caused delays up to three hours. A Caltrans representative told me last week that delays associated with the current work are only 15 minutes or so. Also, it’s important to note that when they are not working, they remove the barriers so that the freeway is fully open.

William asks: I’ve heard Cactus was going to go over Interstate 15 someday. Do you know? Will it be just a bridge or connector?

The Nevada Department of Transportation is designing a single-point urban interchange for Cactus Avenue and Interstate 15. Huh? I’m not really up on the engineering lingo either, but after doing a bit of research, I found out that it is pretty much a traditional interchange. A bridge will carry Cactus across the freeway with traffic signals on either side of the span. It will allow freeway traffic to exit at Cactus and make a left or right turn. It is basically the same design that you see on Flamingo Road and I-15.

Michael is frustrated with Laughlin traffic: Can you please tell me what is happening on Casino Drive in Laughlin? It was backed up for miles the other weekend.

In May, the county started a $10 million roadway improvement project between Casino Drive and State Route 163. The work includes redoing the curb, gutters and sidewalks. Crews are also repaving the road and adding medians that will eventually be landscaped and lighted. The county is also reconfiguring the traffic signals along Laughlin’s Strip. The work should be completed by the summer.

This from an anonymous North Las Vegas reader: Can you find out what’s going on with the 215 between Losee Road and Aliante Parkway? I’m hoping they’re finally building the bridge to connect North 5th Street to Clark County 215 going west.

Well you are hoping correctly. Clark County recently embarked on a project at the northern end of the 53-mile roadway commonly referred to as the Las Vegas Beltway. The work you are seeing is the interchange at the beltway and North 5th Street. Crews are building a bridge that will link 5th Street to the beltway. In addition, they will be doing utility and drainage work. So, while this area might be a mess for a few months, it should be worth it when the project is completed at the end of the year.

I wanted to revisit Eleanor’s question last week about the multicolored markings on Decatur Boulevard. We said driveways were marked for upcoming utility work, but a knowledgeable reader named Jim was kind enough to elaborate on what the markings mean. This is what Jim had to say (and I verified it with a city engineer):

Just so you and other people know, the spray-painted markings are the result of the “call before you dig” folks. The markings indicate the location of underground utilities, with red indicating power, orange being telephone/communication/cable; blue, water; green, sewer.

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.