Drivers soon will see the light(s) at Henderson intersection

In the sleepy hamlet of Henderson a sad little story has unfolded over the past several months.

Residents jumped with glee when the city officials reconfigured and expanded two widely used streets: Volunteer Boulevard and Executive Airport Drive. They leaped for joy when they saw the intersection would be controlled by traffic signals. Then their smiles turned to frowns. You see, the lights never were turned on. The protective bags were ripped away by the wind, and the darkened lights were exposed. It was a constant reminder of what might have been.

OK, it wasn’t that dramatic, but check this out: When the heck will the traffic signals at Volunteer Boulevard and Airport Executive Drive be activated?

Aha! Let there be light! As this column is being written – right on deadline as usual – Nevada Energy is pulling wires at that intersection, which means that a deal was finally made with the private land owners adjacent to the intersection. Those traffic signals are expected to be up and running within the next two weeks.

Rob is pulling a hat trick with Silverado: Regarding Interstate 15, are there any plans to make the westbound Silverado Ranch to northbound I-15 onramp any wider? With cars from Silverado Ranch coming from the east and Southern Highlands from the west, we have to take turns getting on the onramp, which on a typical morning means backups past Las Vegas Boulevard.

That is definitely on the state Transportation Department’s radar, Rob. Engineers have noticed the congestion and have embarked on a study to determine how best to fix the situation. Unfortunately, I don’t have a time frame to offer you Rob, but at least it’s good to know that the problem has been recognized.

And: It looks like there will be one express lane that starts up north of Silverado Ranch on I-15 and then there are two past Interstate 215. Will there be a continuous express lane all the way? It is unclear as to what the final configuration will be.  

Yes, Rob, there will be a continuous express lane that will stretch from Sahara Avenue all the way down to Silverado Ranch. You probably won’t see this until the completion of the Interstate 15 south design-build project later this year.

Finally: Will the "candlesticks" reappear and will they line the entire stretch of express lanes and not just Flamingo to Sahara?

Yes, sort of, maybe. This is something that has been tossed about at the Department of Transportation. Under former director Susan Martinovich’s watch, the consensus appeared to be that perhaps candlesticks would go away and that motorists would be trusted not to cross the double white lines. The new director, Rudy Malfabon, might change that and reinstall the paddles to keep motorists in the express lanes. We need to give the guy a break though; he has only been in charge of the department a couple weeks.

And, as I mentioned recently, the department’s ultimate plans are to get rid of the express lanes completely to make room for a more expansive high-occupancy vehicle system.

John and a handful of others ask: Can you please give us an update on the work along Interstate 215 between Tenaya Way and Decatur Boulevard?

Of course this widening project was delayed because of spats over the general contractor. Once the legal wranglings were cleared up, work began in January.

The time frame was quite a shocker when Clark County announced it, and it appears that many motorists have forgotten. Who can blame them? It probably feels like an eternity since the heavy equipment set up camp on that stretch of highway. This work will not be completed until mid-2014, so we’re a long way away.

Here’s a quick overview of what is going on: The county is widening the 215 – also known as the Beltway – to a full-fledged four-lane freeway with no traffic lights to impede flow. New interchanges will be built on Jones and Decatur boulevards. A new bridge will be built at Bradley Road over the freeway. The county emphasized that Centennial Parkway will not be extended east of Torrey Pines Drive.

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.