Representatives of NDOT, NHP, and Washoe County presented to neighbors last night at the South Valleys Library. Commissioner Lucey opened the meeting making the observation that development in the area had impacted safety on Mt. Rose Hwy. Thor Dyson (NDOT executive) introduced the consulting firm (Kimley Horn) that did the study in July. The efforts included a Road Safety Audit, a Speed Study, and an Intersection Control Evaluation for the section of Mt. Rose Hwy. from Bordeaux to Wedge Pkwy.
Here are the main conclusions.
- No traffic signal is warranted at Callahan or at Edmonton based on nationally accepted criteria.
- The best solution at Callahan would be a traffic circle, but this would be too expensive to build.
- NDOT will move forward with a number of modifications to intersections changing the lane striping, adding acceleration lanes, adding deceleration lanes, adding islands, and other features.
- The best solution for Edmonton would be to add an extension to Butch Cassidy to connect to the vacant leg of the Thomas Creek intersection but, this would be expensive and involves a couple of private properties. Acceleration and deceleration lanes will be added.
Rob Stepien (head of NHP for northern NV) said that they have been writing a lot of speeding tickets. Traffic cameras may not be used for speed-limit enforcement per state law.
Dwayne Smith spoke about the County’s part in addressing the traffic problems. He was facing an audience who is suffering with the terrible congestion in the Rolling Hills neighborhood. He was unable to answer a series of pointed questions. Here’s a sample.
- How did Colina Rosa and Doral Academy get approved?
- How could you not see this was coming?
- How much more growth can the Mt. Rose Corridor handle given the current problems?
- What limitations to Ascente will you apply given the problems on the corridor?
Residents implored him to come to Butch Cassidy on a weekday to see the problems for himself. His assertion that “it’s just reality” was not accepted by the audience. His assertion that the Thomas Creek connection should be made after Ascente Phase-II development completes a road is ludicrous. As an aside, Commissioner Lucey said he’d been told that his presence would detract from the “conversation” and left after the introductions.
Washoe Residents for Appropriate Planning 
Thankyou for the update. I couldnt attemd although wished to.
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I thank you for the update. Frankly I am feeling quite helpless. Nothing changes no matter how many protests are made, no matter how many committees and groups disapprove these developments. Sorry to be so negative.
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As for the so called “pork chop” stop at Edmonton,w e have witnessed a number of cars, and one landscape business that pull to the right, then commit a U turn to head up Mt. Rose hiway….so what happens when the first, second fatality occur? Too expensive to install signals? The absurdity of the traffic up And down the hi-way is crazy, tickets galore, but our police cannot be there 24-7 to catch the speeders, illegal turns…
It’s all about greed, the bottom line, no one will listen….truly unfortunate!
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Our elected County Commissioner left the meeting?
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Yes Bob Lucey left. Vut, however much I do not like this guy, the Washoe County officials.said they asked him to leave because “there would be better discussion” without him there. I, frankly, call BS on this. He is our duly elected commissioner and if he had a spine and any courage at all he would have told the county these are my constituents and I am staying. I believe he was relieved to leave because he is NOT representing us.
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I’m sorry to say but he’s there for another 4 years because the district voted him back in.
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Well this is just more of the same garbage that Commissioner Lucey is famous for. We tried to get the word out for his last re-election to no avail. So he shows up for the meeting but doesn’t have the balls to actually stay to hear the problems? That’s because he doesn’t care. He’s re-elected, so why listen to the community. Expect more of the same from this extremely unfortunate pick for our District. This is not negativity it’s reality.
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Unfortunately I was not able to make this meeting. But reading the notes from meeting it seems nobody talked about changing/decreasing the speed limit. That does not take any money and everyone knows speed is the factor in most accidents. Why wasn’t this discussed? It seems like this would be something that could be done right away. With the speed limit set at 55 people are going 65/70, especially coming down the hill. I live off of Callahan and when I am going down Mt Rose at the speed limit of 55 people are flying past me going at least 65.
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Thanks to Steve and Kristin for such a comprehensive update. I know many of us are frustrated by the inappropriate development and lack of accountability by our elected representatives. On the bright side, NDOT did listen to the community and investigated the problems and potential solutions even though those problems are a result of lack of foresight by the development community and not caused by deficient or lack of planning by NDOT. Those that attended the meeting and spoke up are to be commended. Those (Kristin) that participated in the study/investigation deserve our thanks. Thoughtful solutions can and will be advanced, just not the ones some us us favor or in the time frame we find convenient. This does not mean we despair or give up. It means we find ways to make our elected officials find policy solutions. Isn’t that what Lucey promised? It also means we find ways to change the way “business” is currently conducted by county staff and we do not accept answers like “it is what it is.” I personally promise to continue to work to implement solutions to the safety issues in this corridor, to improve the review process for developments, and to identify mechanisms to improve regulations, codes, and policy. We have only begun to fight!
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Tickets bring revenue. Assign two additional officers with radar guns. Folks will eventually get it.
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Red light and speed cameras are automated tools used to enforce traffic safety laws. Communities in about half of U.S. states use cameras to catch red light violators. Speed camera programs are less common, but increasing. Many states have laws explicitly authorizing these types of automated enforcement, either statewide or only in specific communities. Some states have camera programs without a supporting state law. Ten states prohibit localities from using red light cameras, speed cameras, or both.
The technology is also used to catch drivers who block intersections or fail to stop at a stop sign, pay a toll, drive past a stopped school bus or disobey a railroad crossing signal. The District of Columbia uses automated enforcement to cite drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians.
Automated enforcement citations are generally civil or administrative violations that do not result in points and are not made part of the driver’s record. Many jurisdictions treat automated enforcement citations just like parking tickets in that the registered owner is liable.
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