Art or not, squiggles here to stay

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As various freeway and major interchanges are decorated with rocks, plants, paintings and sculptures, it has become clear that not everybody is a big fan of artwork on our roadways. We received a couple of questions regarding the work, particularly on Eastern Avenue and Interstate 215 (which at this location is actually the Bruce Woodbury Beltway).

First up is Carol: I have real concern about the new landscaping they recently finished at the intersection of 215 and Eastern. First of all, is this a finished project? Who designed such an unpleasant sight? Going to work looking at a big ugly snake painted on the overpass walls while waiting at the light is not my idea of starting a good day.

Well Carol, all I can say is that yes, this project was started in December of last year and recently completed. Clark County paid $979,000 for the landscaping work, which included decorative rocks and boulders, native plants and the graphics. According to Clark County documents, it was designed by Stantec Consulting Inc. and completed by Peek Construction Company, an outfit out of North Las Vegas. By the way, Stantec also is responsible for the landscaping design along Interstate 15 south.

And Carol’s second question regarding the interchange: The offramp as well as the onramp are very inadequate due to only one lane. Why would we spend money on big, ugly boulders, dead plants, drawings of snakes but not expand the ramps to handle the extreme amount of traffic in this area? Where did this money come from and who makes the decisions as to where and how to spend it?

The money spent on the “beautification” project was from federal funds specifically designated for landscaping. The Nevada Department of Transportation received the grant and passed along a portion of it to Clark County for this project.

As far as improvements to the on- and offramps, unfortunately there are no immediate plans to change the configuration at that interchange.

Then this from Ellen who thinks a little more highly of the art: Can anyone give an explanation of what the snake-like artwork on the Eastern Avenue/215 interchange in Henderson represents? The landscaping is lovely but the artwork painted on the sloping cement supports is rather strange. It looks like intestines!

I guess observers interpret art differently Ellen. There are a few snakes around town, but I’m siding with Ellen on this particular species. It does look a little intestine-y. Or spiral-y. But, alas, it is simply a design. As you’ve probably noticed, the creatures featured in recent landscaping efforts are native to Southern Nevada. We have lizards, snakes, big horn sheep, burros and horses. Apparently we’ve moved on from big desert tortoises.

Jim asks: I recently came across a gentleman at a gas station who had “Pearl Harbor Survivor” license plates, and I have “Ex-Prisoner of War” license plates. We got to talking and he asked if I was still able to park at the airport long-term parking area for free and free at parking meters? I told him yes. He replied that he was told that his plates no longer have that privilege. Can you clarify this?

As Jim pointed out, the Department of Motor Vehicles asks for proof of service before issuing either of these plates. But state law says only the Ex-Prisoner of War plates like the one affixed to Jim’s vehicle “are exempt from the payment of any parking fees, including those collected through parking meters, charged by the state or any political division or other public body with the state, other than the United States.” That language is in Nevada Revised Statute 482.377, for those of you looking for additional information. The state does not extend the same privilege to veterans carrying the “Pearl Harbor Survivor” plates.

Speaking of plates, here is a question from Tony: In Nevada it is legal not to have a front license plate on your car as long as the car does not have the brackets or holes in the front of the car to secure the plate. My question is, if you drive your car into another state, for example California, is it still legal in that state or will one receive a ticket for not having a front plate?

Tony is correct in that a front license plate is not required by law if there are no holes to secure it. That is typically the case in older model vehicles or luxury cars. But here’s an interesting little tidbit: According to the Tom Jacobs, spokesman for your Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, even if the law doesn’t require the plate to be affixed to the front bumper, you still must carry it with you in the vehicle. You can be ticketed for not having two plates in your possession.

Now back to Tony’s query. Jacobs said law enforcement agencies are well aware of different laws in different states. Because you would be driving with Nevada plates and the laws are as I explained above, you would not be ticketed in California for not having that plate.

If you have a question, tip or tirade, call Adrienne Packer at 702-387-2904, or send an email to roadwarrior@reviewjournal.com. Include your phone number.