Cutting corners is illegal on Nevada roads

Most of the time, they’re undertaken by people who think their time is more valuable than everybody else’s. They think they’re clever because they’ve found a shortcut that gets them on their way while everybody else is choking on exhaust fumes.

Here’s an inquiry from Warrior reader Mike, who has this pet peeve:

“Wondering if you have ever written or opined on the questionable habit of some motorists short-cutting across a corner paved business lot in order to continue their travel without waiting a couple minutes at a red light when the car ahead of them is not turning.

“If this violates any law other than trespass, I am not aware it is ever enforced. And, of course, the public is invited onto any commercial corner, at least to shop, not to avoid red lights.”

Well, Mike, I haven’t opined about those no-good, rotten, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, hopeless, heartless, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed, cheating drivers. (Thanks, Clark Griswold!)

But, yes, I don’t care for them.

What they do is illegal, and it’s not trespassing.

According to Nevada Highway Patrol trooper Jason Buratczuk, who acknowledged that the practice is high on his list of pet peeves, it’s a violation of Nevada Revised Statutes. The relevant code says, “Vehicular traffic facing the signal may not proceed on or through any private or public property to enter the intersecting street where traffic is not facing a red signal to avoid the red signal.”

The amount of the fine for those cited varies but starts at about $150.

Officers can and do write tickets to violators when they catch them. Catching them in the act is the key, and it’s like any other traffic violation — there never seems to be a cop around when something happens.

Of course, there are those out there who believe there’s nothing wrong with this and applaud the violators. To them, I say this: Would you at least stop and buy something from the vendor whose lot you’re using as a shortcut?

Into the Sunset

Warrior reader Carole is hoping that street repairs are coming soon for McLeod Drive in her neighborhood:

“Are they ever going to reopen that section of McLeod that goes from Patrick Lane to Sunset Road? It has been closed for a long time, and we miss our direct route to Sunset Park.”

Good news, Carole. It sounds like the road will be repaved and open by Friday.

It’s a pipeline project managed by the Clark County Utilities Department so “they,” in this case, is Clark County.

Department spokesman Kim Adler said the contractor had one lane of traffic open at the end of last week between Harrison Drive and Sunset and the paving will resume this week with completion by Friday.

Russell, er Stephanie

There’s a location on U.S. Highway 95 where the road narrows and the lanes shift and Warrior reader Gregory is interested in the completion timetable:

“Do you know when construction will be completed on U.S. 95 and Russell Road in Henderson? They are widening the overpass on Russell and appear to be putting in entrance and exit ramps for both directions.”

Your inquiry surprised me a little, Gregory, because I wasn’t aware that the Nevada Transportation Department or Henderson were doing anything with Russell.

I was right. This is actually part of an ongoing project on Stephanie Street. An update from Henderson’s Keith Paul:

“The roadwork is part of the Stephanie Street bridge and roadway project,” Paul said. “Construction is moving along and is expected to be completed in April.

“The project includes a new two-lane bridge on Stephanie Street over U.S. 95 to augment the current two-lane structure, along with construction of the new Stufflebeam Avenue to intersect with Stephanie Street. Bicycle and pedestrian features will be added along both roadways, including slightly elevated bike lanes on Stephanie and Stufflebeam to separate bicyclists and motorists. The $18.5 million project, with $13.5 million in fuel revenue indexing funding, will help make the roadway safe for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.”

Heavy traffic

It’s college basketball tournament time so fans dozens of teams will be in town for games at the city’s top arenas, the Thomas & Mack Center, the MGM Grand Garden and Orleans Arena.

Because these are tournaments, games occur just about any time of day.

A quick guide to avoid traffic: The Mountain West tournament will be played at the Thomas & Mack and the Pac-12 tournament will be at the MGM Grand Wednesday through Saturday. On the same days, the Western Athletic Conference will be at The Orleans.

Another expected traffic generator will be the return of the Neon Reverb music festival on several stages in downtown Las Vegas. That event runs Thursday through Sunday.

Questions and comments should be sent to roadwarrior@reviewjournal.com. Please include your phone number. Follow the Road Warrior on Twitter @RJroadwarrior