Stephanie light top priority for residents

Douglas County residents want a traffic light at Stephanie Lane.

The message rang loud and clear Saturday at a special meeting hosted by Nevada's Department of Transportation concerning issues on Highway 395 between Carson City and Highway 88.

"Highway 395 in Douglas County is operating like a freeway, but it's a road with access to businesses and homeowners. It has to be one way or the other," said Gardnerville resident Terri Chambers.

"Does the driver turning right see me? Am I giving the driver making the left-hand turn enough time?" she said. "Drivers must make too many decisions.

"On a regular highway, measures are taken to make traffic safe. If it's going to be a freeway, let's make it a freeway."

Chambers' 17-year-old daughter Bridget died in a tragic accident at Stephanie Lane and Highway 395 on July 15 when Forrest Ladd, a 79-year-old Minden resident, struck Chamber's car while he was attempting to make a left-hand turn onto Stephanie Lane.

Failure to yield the right-of-way and driver inattention are two of the three most prevalent reasons for fatal accidents in Nevada, led only by drunk driving, according to a study by the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Department of Transportation spokesman Scott Magruder said Tuesday that a light will most likely be installed at Stephanie Lane.

The issues surrounding that installation should be addressed at an upcoming meeting of the Douglas County Commissioners to work out funding and other issues.

He estimated the cost of the light at around $200,000.

"A combination of federal, local and state funding could be used," he said. "We just don't know at this point."

At Saturday's meeting, some residents preferred a full signal rather than half-signal like the one at Johnson Lane. Most agreed the light is a short-term solution considering the burgeoning growth in the Valley, and more long-term solutions need to be considered.

Terri Chambers said an overpass would be ideal, but could take years. Rancher Arnold Settelmeyer agreed.

"Traffic planning should be 20 years ahead of the master plan," he said. "It takes that long to get something going."

A few residents felt better signage to educate drivers, rather than traffic lights, could do much to ease the problems along this busy stretch of highway.

Drivers turning south at Johnson Lane speed across the lanes because they think they're supposed to be in the slow lane on the right, said Stephanie Lane resident Jo Stice.

"I live on Stephanie Lane and I negotiate that left-hand turn on 395 every day," she said. "It's more dangerous at Johnson Lane because people don't understand how that intersection is supposed to work."

Many East Valley residents said they avoid Stephanie by driving the back roads to access the highway at Johnson Lane.

During the three-hour meeting, officials from the Department of Transportation peppered the group of about 35 residents with facts about the busy highway.

From 2000 to 2004, rear-end collisions have increased dramatically where traffic lights are used, primarily in north Douglas County between Plymouth Drive and Carson City.

From Plymouth Drive south to Muller Lane, the accident rate is highest at Johnson Lane, the only intersection with a signal.

"Traffic signals interrupt the flow and back up traffic," said Transportation spokeswoman Sue Newberry. "There will be more rear-end accidents, more delays and lots of complaints.

"In the United States, we also have a problem with drivers running red lights. We're in a hurry."

Residents were asked to vote for their primary concerns from issues they defined. In that vote, a light at Stephanie was the highest priority with 24 votes. Twenty-one voters wanted a full- rather than half-signal and 15 voted for a safe solution at Stephanie, the three highest priorities.

Uniform treatments at intersections, a Highway 395 barrier and enforcement along Highway 395 were other major concerns. Hazards at Ironwood Drive, alternative routes and a viable alternative for agriculture were also addressed.

Newberry said a new Web site addressing the issues should soon be up at www.douglascounty395.com, offering information and an opportunity for input.

Residents with concerns are also invited to contact Coy Peacock, coordinator for the Program Development Division, at 888-7124.



n Susie Vasquez can be reached at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.