Initial Highway 395 work begins Monday

Long-awaited work on Main Street through Gardnerville is scheduled to start next week as the Nevada Department of Transportation begins a yearlong $11 million project to repave Highway 395 from First Street to Waterloo Lane.

“The majority of lane closures will be short in length, with work zones of a few hundred feet,” spokeswoman Meg Ragonese said on Wednesday. “Pedestrian detours will be available. At least one access to each business will remain available during construction.”

Work on the highway will continue until its halted by weather this winter.

Ragonese said moderate travel delays should be expected. Crews will make preliminary highway drainage, sidewalk and curb and gutter improvements in advance of the main work, which will launch in spring of 2024.

“Beginning in spring 2024, just under two miles in Gardnerville will be completely reconstructed and repaved,” Ragonese said. “Drivers should anticipate the following construction spring through summer 2024.”

Drivers should anticipate shifting traffic control and 24-7 travel delays through the work zone as semi-permanent barriers are placed in work areas for driver and worker safety.

“At least one lane in each direction and one access to each business will remain available during construction,” Ragonese said. “NDOT encourages the community to support local businesses during construction.”

Alternate routes are advised for those traveling through without a planned destination in the work zone.

“Left-hand turns and travel across intersections will periodically be prohibited as intersections are reconstructed and new road surface placed,” Ragonese said. “Expect reduced speeds through the work zone and provide extra time to reach destinations.”

It has been more than 20 years since the last time the highway through Gardnerville was resurfaced.

Next year, Highway 395 between Waterloo and Toler will see 15 inches of road service taken up. The base will be pulverized and mixed with new cement and then laid as a new base.

Ragonese said 6 inches of new asphalt will then be laid.

Work through the S-Curve will see 18 inches of road base taken up before being repaved.

“The remaining section of roadway improvements will remove and replace almost three inches of aging pavement surfaces,” Ragonese said.

Electronic flashing pedestrian crossing signs, known as a rapid rectangular flashing beacons, will be installed or upgraded near Mission Street and Kingslane Court, allowing pedestrians to activate the signs to help stop traffic as they cross the street.

Upgraded lighting will be installed as part of existing lighting fixtures.

Underground conduit line will also be enhanced for better connectivity to roadway cameras, road/weather information systems, and more. This also provides opportunity for early installation of future electrical and communications including fiber optic cables, as part of a broader plan to make high-speed internet more accessible throughout Nevada.

Additional storm drains will also be added near Toler Avenue at the “S Curve” to more effectively direct storm waters.

Americans with Disability accessibility improvements will be made to certain sidewalk facilities.

A second phase of improvements in future years will include additional sidewalk and accessibility improvements, as well as remaining roadway drainage, signals, and lighting enhancements.

The approximately $11 million improvement project by contractor Sierra Nevada Construction will improve the highway for the as many as 20,000 vehicles traveling the road daily, including many heavy trucks and other commercial vehicles. The road was last fully repaved in 2003, with minor resurfacing in some areas more recently.

Motorists should use caution while traveling through work zones, and take alternate detour routes, if possible. The schedule is subject to change due to weather or other factors. For the latest state highway conditions, visit nvroads.com or call 511 before driving.