I have good news about Red Rock, everyone. We are one step closer to a safer canyon!
In a couple of days, NDOT will issue a press release regarding the short term solutions they are going to implement on SR 159. (This is my unofficial interpretation. You can go to NDOT for the official word.
Short Term
- to more comfortably fit bikers in the bike lane: they are extending the bike lane from the visitor’s center to the 160 junction.
- They will match width from Summerlin to the visitor’s center by adding to the shoulders the rest of the way.
to increase driver and cyclist awareness and hopefully slow speeds - they are darkening the bike lanes to provide the optical illusion of a narrower roadway. This is done with slurry seal, a finer texture of pavement which makes the surface of the side lanes smoother, darker, and reflect differently. A smaller appearing road could also feel more like a scenic drive.
- to increase driver and cyclist awareness: make the white lines brighter and wider (8″ with more optical beads)
- to increase driver and cyclist awareness and to address the problem of 94 vehicle run-offs: install a type of rumble strip (in the white stripe and possibly the yellow stripe, not in the bike lane which will have 6 feet clear from edge of pavement to edge of stripe).
- designate the shoulders as actual bike lanes (not just vehicle recovery lanes as they are now) by placing symbols on the ground and signage along the road
- complete all of the above this summer (2006)
- do a speed study once this is completed to determine the best speed for Red Rock
The following long term solutions are also being looked at by various entities and will need our continued support:
- The RTC study for a high speed 160 to 215 connector West of Durango–is now underway.
- BLM management of the road including Park Entrance Booths near the cattleguards on both ends of the road possibly with a cooperation maintenance agreement with NDOT? (We’re still asking BLM to consider this, but they haven’t agreed to yet.)
- a multi-use path separated from the street for runners, family bikers, dog walkers, horses, etc.
- a weight limit (commercial trucking)
Thanks for everything. This is just the beginning. Red Rock is our treasure and we will continue to protect it, for ourselves, for future generations, and for our dear friends who left us too soon but with many great memories that will never leave us.
Heather Fisher
Nevada Scenic Byways Coalition
www.saveredrock.com
