Right-turn-only lane aims to ease backups

As we mentioned before, it's been a bit of a struggle to get some road construction-related answers from our friends at Clark County. A boatload of questions was shipped over to our Clark County types and, looky here, we got a boatload of answers in return.

Christie says she has been wondering about this for a while: On Sandhill Road traveling north to Tropicana Avenue, the right lane suddenly becomes a right-turn only lane at the stoplight (to which hardly anyone pays attention). Just north of the light, it becomes a regular lane again. What on earth is the reason for that? Are they offering people a chance to bail out of driving past Lonnie Hammargren's house?

If Clark County is indeed trying to spare motorists the distraction of Hammargren's eclectic decorations, Christie, they're not saying so. Actually, traffic engineers noticed a high number of vehicles turning right at that intersection. The vehicles continuing straight were preventing right turns and causing traffic backups by stopping at the light, so they decided to make it into a right-turn only lane.

Here's Russ' concern: I drive down Silverado Ranch Boulevard from Bermuda Road to Jones Boulevard every day. Just after you pass Dean Martin Drive heading west on Silverado Ranch, there is about a one-tenth of a mile stretch between Dean Martin and Valley View Boulevard where the speed goes from 35 mph down to 25 mph. Afterward it picks back to 35 mph. So what's the deal with that stretch?

The county sets its speed limits depending on the width of the roadway. In this case, Silverado Ranch goes from two lanes, then to one for that short stretch mentioned, and back to two lanes. The speed limit was lowered because of the one-lane portion.

And a follow-up question from the ever-inquisitive Russ: Is there any word on when Jones will be completed at Blue Diamond Road? It is really getting irritating having to take the two- to three-mile detour through deserted desert roads when trying to cross Blue Diamond at Jones.

Unfortunately Russ, that isn't going to happen anytime soon. Apparently the big obstacle in the way of bringing Jones through to Blue Diamond is a right-of-way issue. The county has not successfully negotiated for the needed right-of-way owned by two private developers and Union Pacific Corp. The county could ultimately take the land through eminent domain, but that is not in the plans at this time, according to spokesman Dan Kulin.

Ric believes something should be done about a Las Vegas Beltway off-ramp: Five days a week I drive south on Jones at the Las Vegas Beltway. Several times a week I notice fender-benders involving cars exiting the beltway west to northbound Jones. Jones is wide enough for a merging lane. Are there any plans to make that safer?

According to Kulin, the county frequently reviews roads to determine whether changes need to be made. In this case, county officials believe the accidents are simply because of motorists following each other too closely and not paying attention. But Kulin did say the county will take another look at it to see whether safety issues exist.

Here's a question from Kim: My husband and I want to know when the Far Hills Avenue and Las Vegas Beltway interchange will be complete.

Kim, that interchange is scheduled to be finished in early February.

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.