Median landscaping wins praise

Not too long ago readers were upset about the landscaping sculptures popping up on our freeways, saying either they were a waste of money or flat-out ugly. Apparently not everybody agrees. We'll kick today off with the following:

Sam is impressed: Charleston Boulevard was recently landscaped, and what an improvement that is. I have a question though. The metal cacti in the median are very cool. Can the public purchase these and, if so, where?

Yes, Sam, it certainly is an improvement. Those of you who don't travel Charleston between Rancho Drive and Valley View Boulevard might not know that the median previously was spray painted green, which personally made me feel as though I was traveling through the lush green fields of Ireland. Not really. But according to Las Vegas officials, the metal prickly pear cactus sculptures were made out of scrap by one city worker. Unfortunately, they are not for sale, although the welder should consider going into business.

On a related note, several readers have asked whether the ocotillo sculptures along U.S. Highway 95 can be purchased. I'm still working on this one, so please stay tuned.

Karen asks: There is a beautiful, new walking trail in Summerlin on Hualapai Way between Alta Drive and Town Center. We'd love to start using it, but we can't figure out where to park. Can you help, please?

I wish I could be more helpful Karen, but apparently there is no designated parking lot for this new trail. The Hualapai Canyon Trail opened last March and runs from Hualapai Way up about a half-mile adjacent to the Tournament Players Club Canyons golf course, according to Las Vegas officials. It was designed for pedestrians, bicyclists and nonmotorized vehicles. Unfortunately for outdoor enthusiasts such as Karen, the trail was not exactly designed for walkers outside of that neighborhood.

The trailhead for the $3 million path is on the side of Hualapai north of Alta Drive. The trail was built to be used by the residents of that area. So, according to city officials, there is no parking.

Here's Fred: I seldom use Interstate 15 near the Strip. Yesterday I had an occasion to drive I-15 in both directions from the Spaghetti Bowl to Tropicana Avenue. The southbound road surfaces were in good condition, except for the damaged express lane cones. The northbound lanes were in terrible condition with large pot holes, especially from Sahara to the Spaghetti Bowl. When are repair and resurfacing scheduled?

Very timely question, Fred. Nevada Department of Transportation officials plan to resurface Interstate 15 from the Spaghetti Bowl to state Route 160 (Blue Diamond Road) by the end of the year. Scott Magruder, spokesman for the agency, said the northbound lanes without a doubt have "outlived their life-cycle."

Interestingly, the question relates to one addressed last month regarding rubberized asphalt. Some experts have expressed concerns about the use of the material in a climate such as Las Vegas: Heat combined with heavy traffic might wear rubberized-asphalt quicker than transportation officials would like.

Regardless, a one-inch overlay of the "greener" road surface is set to be used.

According to rubberized-asphalt people, a one-inch overlay will recycle 1,000 tires per lane mile. Three lanes in each direction multiplied by 10 miles, well, that's a lot of tires. OK, I won't get all lazy. It's 60,000 tires, um, right?

Hey, a different Fred has a different question: The six-lane improvement on Lake Mead Parkway was completed just short of the Lake Las Vegas Parkway. It seems logical that it would have been completed to Lake Las Vegas Parkway. Are there still plans to do this?

Yes, Fred, that is in the plans. This last stretch of roadway should be finished toward the end of the year. Department of Transportation officials started the final layer of paving but had to delay completing it because of the colder weather. The resurfacing will continue when the temperature is consistently around 60 degrees.

Barbara wants a break from the noise: I live in the vicinity of Ann Road and Highway 95. There is widening construction being done on 95. The traffic noise, especially in the early morning hours, has become extremely loud. There is also a problem with big rigs air braking in this area, as the southbound traffic is coming "down" in elevation. Are there any plans to erect sound barriers or buffers?

Happy news for you, Barbara. Transportation officials are erecting sound walls along the highway between Washington Avenue and Ann Road, which is the first phase of a project that is expected to carry on for the next couple of years. The stretch near Ann Road, which is scheduled to be finished by the end of this year, will include sound walls to protect residents.

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.