State wraps up work on highways 28 and 431 for winter

The first season of a multi-year project to enhance the roadway and utility system along sections of highways 28 and 431 to help preserve pavement and protect Lake Tahoe was completed on Friday, according to the Nevada Department of Transportation.

This season, Q&D Construction crews installed 57,000 linear feet of intelligent traffic systems underground conduit line along Highway 431 from Mt. Rose summit to Highway 28; east of the Highway 28 roundabout toward Crystal Bay; and west of the Highway 28 roundabout to the Northwood/Southwood Boulevard intersection in Incline Village.

“This project construction season was quite successful with the collaboration of the various emergency response agencies, local government representative, other construction projects, the business community and area residents,” said state District II Resident Engineer Bhupinder Sandhu. “Numerous milestones were reached despite the unexpected closure due to the Caldor fire, as well as holiday weekend schedules for convenient public access during peak visitor season. Travel delays averaged less than 10 minutes. Communications outreach ensured stakeholders had information to help with their travel decisions and public comments received were overwhelmingly positive.”

The new conduit will connect and power roadway cameras, road and weather information systems, traffic counters, traffic flow detectors, automated chain and snow tire control signage, and detection for runaway truck ramps. This also provides opportunity for early installation of future electrical and communications including fiber optic cables and is part of a broader plan to make high-speed internet more accessible throughout Nevada.

Drainage improvements, including a drop inlet and culvert, were also made at the Highway 431 scenic overlook to help collect and transfer snow runoff that will help preserve the roadway.

Next season, May through October 2022, drivers should anticipate multiple work zones with single-lane flagger-controlled closures and up to 30-minute travel delays.