Work on Highway 395 in the Pine Nuts begins Monday

Downtown Gardnerville won’t be the only segment of Highway 395 experiencing road work in the coming weeks.

A $21 million project to repave a dozen miles of the highway one mile at a time between the state line and Ray May Way will result in single lane closures between March 4 and fall, Nevada Department of Transportation spokeswoman Meg Ragonese said Wednesday.

The work will be conducted 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekday and will include traffic flaggers and pilot cars to get motorists through the work zone.

“Motorists should anticipate travel delays of up to 30 minutes. and are reminded to drive safely and follow all traffic signage,” Ragonese said. “The road work schedule is subject to change based on weather and other factors.”

The work will include replacing 2 inches of the road’s surface and replacing it with 3 inches of new asphalt.

“As part of the project, the existing northbound passing lane near Pine Valley Road will also be extended by approximately 1.5 miles, providing additional designated passing opportunities,” Ragonese said.

The existing 55 mph speed limit on some sections of the roadway will also be updated to 65 mph.

“With the vast majority of drivers traveling well over the currently posted 55mph speed limit, the speed limit modifications are aimed at further harmonizing average travel speeds and reducing the potential of unsafe passing and other crashes related to incongruent travel speeds,” Ragonese said.

Two speed feedback signs will be installed to help motorists ensure that they are not exceeding a safe speed. Using radar, these signs display vehicle travel speeds back to the motorist, along with the posted speed limit.

Meanwhile, work continues on Main Street in downtown Gardnerville.

“Crews continue roadside drainage, curb and gutter improvements, and have recently completed stamped concrete aesthetics on sidewalk sections and a French drain,” Ragonese said. “Crews will continue drainage improvements near the S curve through the coming weeks.”

The work is expected to continue to reduce the highway to single lanes 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays to complete drainage, sidewalk and other improvements before the main major repaving and reconstruction begins.