Resident concerned extended passing lane on Highway 395 poses a hazard

A head-on collision near where a new passing lane was installed on Highway 395 raised concerns for a resident of Spring Valley about left turns into the neighborhood.

Resident Sarah Shorb has been in communication with the Nevada Department of Transportation about her concerns since the beginning of September.

Part of the work on the highway from Ray May Way to the state line was the 1.5-mile extension of the northbound passing lane which ends near the entrance to Spring Valley.

“In the absence of a left turn lane, vehicles must come to a complete stop in the “fast lane” (left passing lane) until southbound traffic clears, resulting in an extremely dangerous situation for drivers,” she said in an email to the state. “This hazard is amplified by the proposed speed limit increase of 65 mph.”

Transportation Spokeswoman Meg Ragonese said the northbound passing lane was extended 1.5 miles.

“NDOT installed the passing lane after careful evaluation of the section of roadway, including analysis of the average number of vehicles turning to and from Spring Valley Drive and visibility (sight distance) for passing drivers to view and stop for northbound vehicles turning onto Spring Valley Drive,” she said. “Head-on crashes are one of the most frequent crashes on rural roads nationwide. Designated passing lanes such as the newly-extended lane can reduce the need for passing vehicles to travel in the opposing lane to pass, improve overall traffic operations and reduce travel delays over grades and at other locations.”

 Up to 600 large freight trucks daily travel the section of highway, Ragonese said.

“The extended passing lane adds additional opportunity for safe passing, particularly with speed differentials created as heavier vehicles travel more slowly up the grade,” she said.

State law requires motorists to remain in the right lane except when actively passing and that there are signs to that effect at the location, Ragonese said.