Endless work on MLK continues

Several readers recently have inquired about the progress of the seemingly endless work on Martin Luther King Boulevard. Cones and barriers have interrupted traffic flow for more than a year now and this is because crews have essentially had to build a new underground utility system. When it’s finally finished, Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow has high hopes for it: “I am very proud of the project and truly believe we will have one of the most beautiful Martin L. King roadways in American when work is completed.” Here’s the latest:

Between Discovery Drive (now called Symphony Park Avenue) and Vegas Drive, two lanes are kept open at all times now, but work still needs to be done. Crews will landscape the medians later this month or in early April. The final layer of asphalt will be applied when the weather warms up, probably between May and July.

Between Vegas Drive and Lake Mead Boulevard, crews will be working on the road for the next two months, beginning in the westbound lanes and then moving to the eastbound lanes. Restrictions will be in place, so it’s probably a good idea to stay clear of this stretch. The road is expected to be finished in July.

The next several months also will be hairy between Lake Mead and Carey Avenue as crews relocate utilities and remove overhead power lines. Access to businesses and homes in the area will be limited. This too should be completed around July.

Keith and Jane are unpacking their walking shoes: Help! There is a sign on Lake Mead Parkway that Mohawk Drive will be closed March 21! That is the only road to Tuscany Home Community! What are we suppose to do? Park our cars on Lake Mead and walk two miles?

No need to panic. The Nevada Department of Transportation is beginning to widen Lake Mead Parkway from Boulder Highway to the Lake Mead Recreational Area and some of this work will affect side streets such as Mohawk.

Mohawk north at Lake Mead, the stretch of Mohawk that leads to Tuscany, will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

Mohawk south is the section that will be completely closed for two weeks beginning March 22. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by the fall.

Jennifer has a beef with the Police Department: I think the HOV rules need to be clarified with our Metro officers. Here goes: When I hopped on U.S. 95. at 5:50 a.m., a Metro officer pulled me over for crossing the solid white “gore” line that delineates the HOV lane and driving in the HOV lane. He handed me my ticket, time-stamped at 5:55, and when I politely and calmly told him it wasn’t 6 a.m. yet, so it wasn’t illegal for me to drive in the HOV lane, he told me to go contest it in court. Can they do this?

I’m not really sure what that officer was thinking. It is not illegal for a single passenger car to travel in the High Occupancy Vehicles lanes before 6 a.m., according to the Nevada Department of Transportation, which created the lanes.

Also, motorists are permitted to cross over the solid white lines separating these designated lanes from regular traffic.

This is not to be confused with the express lanes on Interstate 15, where it is illegal to cross over solid lines.

This from several readers interested in the Regional Transportation Commission’s new ACE transit system: Will they have monthly passes like the regular bus routes?

Yes, but this is a premium service so the prices are the same as the Deuce. Monthly passes go for $65, a 24-hour pass is $7 and a two-hour pass is $3. Riders can also invest in a three-day pass for $15 or a five-day pass for $20.

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