Overpasses optimize safety for desert bighorn sheep and travelers

It’s entertaining to learn what government agencies will do to protect wildlife. I’m not saying it’s a waste of money, but not everybody favors the efforts. I recall the mayor of Davis, Calif., once proposing to build a tunnel under Interstate 80 so that frogs could safely cross to the other side. She was pretty much laughed off the face of the planet. We have some softies in our neck of the woods, too, and we’ll kick off today’s column with the story about bridges to nowhere.

Janet wants the mystery solved: We are really wanting to know what those "overpasses to nowhere" are that pass over the 93 highway going past Hoover Dam. There are a couple of overpasses on that highway that go from one side of a mountain to another — without any road there! It’s driving us crazy!!! What is that?

Those, Janet, are overpasses that were built for the big horn sheep in the area. The herd, which is one of the largest in the country, roam between the Colorado River, the Black Mountains and Wilson Ridge on the Arizona side. Along with constructing three overpasses safely guide the rams across the highway, transportation and wildlife officials also installed fencing that funnels the herds onto the bridges.

Interrupting the herds’ travels can deeply affect their breeding patterns and could put the species at risk. The overpasses not only protect the big horn sheep, but also motorists traveling at high speeds.

Eileen asks: I haven’t seen anything in your column about the construction on Lone Mountain and Decatur. It’s obvious that storm drain conduits are being installed but what I am wondering is in which direction the construction is going and how long we can plan on being inconvenienced. Also, will Lone Mountain be completely repaved or only the section which underwent construction.

Eileen isn’t alone on this one. Robert also asked why Lone Mountain was once again being torn apart after it was recently repaired and repaved.

At the end of January, the city of Las Vegas in conjunction with the Clark County Regional Flood Control District began installing reinforced concrete boxes underground along Lone Mountain.

The project will divert floodwaters to the Gowan outfall Lone Mountain branch, according to Betty Hollister, spokeswoman for the flood control agency.

Crews are installing about 9,600 linear feet of boxes that range in size from 6 feet by 6 feet to 14 feet by 7 feet. The project is scheduled to be finished in early May 2012. And, yes, Lone Mountain will be repaved when the project is completed.

S. Hawkins asks: Can you please help us? We need to know about rules on the use of baby seats in trucks. I cannot find any information on the DMV website or in the handbook.

This is an excellent question. Apparently there are plenty of people unclear on car seat rules and even more how to properly install car seats in pickups. According to Erin Breen, a spokeswoman for UNLV’s Safe Partnership Community, 2,000 car seat installations are inspected each year and fewer than 2 percent are put in correctly.

But to answer S. Hawkins’ questions, the car seat can be placed in the front seat of a pickup if the truck is a single cab or the back seat in an extended cab is too narrow. However, it’s imperative to shut off the air bag.

Some suggest that babies sit backward in the car seat until they weigh 20 pounds, but Breen said that is not the case. It is important for the child to be 12 months old before turning the car seat around because that is when the baby’s neck muscles can withstand the impact of an air bag. Children should remain in car seats until they are 4 years old or 40 pounds. When they transition to a booster seat, they should remain in it until they are 6 years old or weigh 60 pounds. Seat belts are suited for people 4 feet 9 inches and taller, Breen said. She said even adults shorter than that should sit in a booster seat because the seat belts do not properly fit them, but she acknowledged that is unlikely to happen.

Breen said if a child is shorter than 4 feet 9 inches, they might put the shoulder strap behind them or under their arm for comfort. The lower buckle typically sits on the child’s liver and even a low impact crash can lacerate the organ and kill the passenger.

Although air bags in newer model vehicles are more advanced, reacting to the speed of the vehicle and weight of the person in the seat, it is still important to abide by the rules. Older air bags inflate at speeds of 200 mph, which can be devastating.

For more information, visit safekidsclarkcounty.org.

Shirley says, "lights please." Work was started several months ago on the much-needed traffic light at South Las Vegas Boulevard and Serene Avenue. When will it be finished?

Shirley, it does seem as if it’s been under construction for quite some time. Work began in July, according to Clark County’s website. The signal should be up and running by early summer. It is part of an overall $4 million Las Vegas Boulevard overhaul. The projects include widening the boulevard to six lanes and adding medians between Silverado Ranch and Sunset Road.

Phil asks: When going east on Interstate 215, there is a lane that becomes an exit ramp to Interstate 15 north. Currently and for a long while, the lane is closed and you have to merge left until you get to the exit. Then you have to get off immediately to the right. This has caused backups when the traffic is heavy. Because of construction, I could see why the lane is closed, but for the past several weeks it seems all the construction has been completed. I would like to know whether there will be any more construction and, if no, when this exit lane will re-open?

Great timing and great news, Phil. Las Vegas Paving has kept the barricades up because the permanent safety equipment is still being installed during nighttime hours. Company spokeswoman Sonya Ruffin anticipates the lanes reopening by Thursday and perhaps as soon as this evening.

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