Downtown drive a bit less irritating

There is a traffic light just as you turn north on 4th Street heading toward the Highway 95 on-ramp that no longer serves a purpose. I believe it was initially meant to stop cross traffic for pedestrians heading to and from the bus transit center that was operational at the corner of 4th and Stewart, but this transit center is now not in use yet that traffic light still stops the cross traffic. Are there any plans to remove this traffic light or at least change the setting to a permanent green status for us downtown commuters? It is frustrating to sit at a red light for nonexistent pedestrians to use a crosswalk that takes them to a non-operational bus transit station.

Good call, Regan. Shortly after your inquiry was brought to the attention of the folks at City Hall, the light was changed so that the only time the signal should turn red for motorists on 4th Street is when somebody actually pushes the pedestrian button.

AJ wants a light: Early last summer, construction was started at the intersection of Serene Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard to install much needed traffic signals. I called the city and they gave me a completion date of August 2010. Now it is April 2011 and the construction is still ongoing. Hopefully you can find out the real completion date. Wrecks occur frequently at this intersection when impatient drivers dart out into Las Vegas Boulevard traffic.

AJ, the traffic signal at that intersection is actually part of the Las Vegas Boulevard widening project overseen by Clark County. You are absolutely right, work began on that new light in July of last year.

Because this involves the widening of the boulevard, it isn’t quite as simple as adding a new signal. Cables, utilities, etc., have to be put into place. As far as the completion date, it should be installed by summer.

 

Jere is wondering about toll roads: I noted in a related article that Nevada allegedly prohibits toll roads. Yet, one way of funding this proposed short stretch of Interstate 11 is to make it a toll road. If there is such a prohibition, can it be waived or eliminated by action of the Nevada Legislature?

 Yes, Jere, there are a couple of bills making their way through the state Legislature that would approve the use of toll roads, which, as you pointed out, previously have been prohibited in Nevada. Approval of legislation would allow state transportation agencies to engage in private partnerships to build, manage and collect tolls on new highways.

Like most legislation, two sides have chimed in on this. Opponents say that private companies are so profit-driven, it ultimately drives up the cost of the construction and maintenance and, therefore fees, on the roads.

Supporters believe it’s an ideal method to raise enough money to build much-needed yet unfunded highways such as the Boulder City bypass, which would dip south of Boulder City, allowing motorists to avoid the congestion associated with Highway 93.

Tamara is confused: Henderson has placed new school zone signs on the streets that surround the schools. They have the speed limit, a larger sign that says “higher fines,” and then a small sign that says: “When children are present.” My question is, does this mean when children are on the playground, or on the sidewalk surrounding the school, or during school hours? It is a little confusing. Some cars are slowing down during school hours, some slow down when children are on the playground, and of course we all slow down when children are on the sidewalks near the schools. Which one is correct? And what are the higher fines?

These signs drive me nutty, Tamara. My understanding was that schools were working to replace these “when children are present” signs with the amber flashing lights, which are far more easier to understand.

If it is blinking, the speed limit is in effect. But Michael Rodriguez, spokesman for the Clark County School District, said it depends on which law enforcement jurisdiction the school sits.

The speed limit is enforced in the “when children are present” zones when students are arriving or leaving the facility, which typically is around 8 a.m. and between 1 and 3 p.m. It is enforced when children are on the playground during recess, even if the yard is fenced in.

If you are driving through the zone on a weekend and there is a group of kids playing soccer, for example, the speed limit is not enforced. Same goes for evening hours when school is clearly not in session.

As far as higher fines, Rodriguez said that anytime you see that, you can anticipate double the normal penalty. So, if a speeding ticket is $150, you’re looking at a $300 ticket.

Pat asks: Why did they change the names of the city buses from CAT to RTC?

The CAT label, which stood for Citizens Area Transit, began disappearing off the coaches in 2009. While there still are a few of those buses, which I call the Barbie doll buses because of the awful pastel colors, they will eventually all be phased out as the coaches are replaced or painted.

The Regional Transportation Commission opted for the RTC Transit name so that the system’s relationship to the commission wouldn’t be confused.

The new biodiesel vehicles are more environmentally friendly than the exhaust-belching Barbie buses.

If you have a question, tip or tirade, call Adrienne Packer at (702) 387-2904, or send an e-mail to roadwarrior@
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