Nevada

[Bruce]

I'll be in Reno and Las Vegas in a few weeks. Any particular projects or interesting roads I should check out?

[pderocco]

I'll be in Reno and Las Vegas in a few weeks. Any particular projects or interesting roads I should check out?

If I went to Vegas right now, I'd go check out the two beltway projects, the US-95 interchange and the north I-15 interchange, to see how they're coming.

If it's been four years or more, check out I-11. Go SB (EB?) so you can stop at the overlook.

[Max Rockatansky]

I'll be in Reno and Las Vegas in a few weeks. Any particular projects or interesting roads I should check out?

-  NV 431 Mount Rose Highway
-  Circle tour Lake Tahoe via US 50, CA 89 and CA/NV 28
-  NV 341/Geiger Grade
-  Check out the surrounding in Goldfield on US 95.  It's one of Nevada's best semi-ghost towns and the rate of crumbling decay is fascinating to see.
-  Rhyolite off of NV 374 west of Beatty is another ghost town worth seeing and easy get to.
-  NV 156 and NV 157 looping Mount Charleston
-  Valley of Fire Road, lots of Old Arrowhead Trail segments which now park trail.
-  Red Rock Scenic Loop Drive
-  NV 172 aka Old US 93-466 over Hoover Dam.
-  NV 165 to Nelson.
-  Dantes View Road in Death Valley National Park (if open)

Depending on how far you want to go from Las Vegas there is other good stuff reasonably close Arizona and Utah.

[gonealookin]

I'll be in Reno and Las Vegas in a few weeks. Any particular projects or interesting roads I should check out?

The major ongoing project in Reno is the expansion of I-580/US 395 from I-80 south past the Grand Sierra and to the airport.  If you do any driving at all in Reno you certainly don't have to go out of your way; it's pretty much unavoidable.

[roadfro]

The previous three replies hit all the scenic drives I would have come up with around Reno and Las Vegas, as well as the big construction projects currently underway in each.

If you haven't been in Vegas in the last 5 years or so but were familiar with the area highways, you may want to drive I-15 near US 95 just to see the results of Project Neon. Taking US 95 south to I-15 south may be quite illustrative with the way they built that long ramp/connector (but not quite a C/D) road.

[Bruce]

If I went to Vegas right now, I'd go check out the two beltway projects, the US-95 interchange and the north I-15 interchange, to see how they're coming.

If it's been four years or more, check out I-11. Go SB (EB?) so you can stop at the overlook.

Will definitely do all of current I-11. I'm 50-50 on doing the beltway, though it'd be fun to do some of the county-owned parts.

-  NV 431 Mount Rose Highway
-  Circle tour Lake Tahoe via US 50, CA 89 and CA/NV 28
-  NV 341/Geiger Grade
-  Check out the surrounding in Goldfield on US 95.  It's one of Nevada's best semi-ghost towns and the rate of crumbling decay is fascinating to see.
-  Rhyolite off of NV 374 west of Beatty is another ghost town worth seeing and easy get to.
-  NV 156 and NV 157 looping Mount Charleston
-  Valley of Fire Road, lots of Old Arrowhead Trail segments which now park trail.
-  Red Rock Scenic Loop Drive
-  NV 172 aka Old US 93-466 over Hoover Dam.
-  NV 165 to Nelson.
-  Dantes View Road in Death Valley National Park (if open)

I'll see what I can do. I only have a few days split across other activities, so I don't know if I'll be able to do all that much.

The major ongoing project in Reno is the expansion of I-580/US 395 from I-80 south past the Grand Sierra and to the airport.  If you do any driving at all in Reno you certainly don't have to go out of your way; it's pretty much unavoidable.

Already planning on it, as my route from Reno to Vegas is mostly on US 395.

The previous three replies hit all the scenic drives I would have come up with around Reno and Las Vegas, as well as the big construction projects currently underway in each.

If you haven't been in Vegas in the last 5 years or so but were familiar with the area highways, you may want to drive I-15 near US 95 just to see the results of Project Neon. Taking US 95 south to I-15 south may be quite illustrative with the way they built that long ramp/connector (but not quite a C/D) road.

This will be my first time in Nevada, so I'm not really familiar with Vegas. What should I look out for wrt. Project Neon?

[pderocco]

Already planning on it, as my route from Reno to Vegas is mostly on US 395.

That's good. US-395 all the way down to Lone Pine is much nicer than US-95, in my opinion. From there, I recommend CA-136 along Owens Lake, CA-190 to Death Valley Junction (spectacular), local roads to Pahrump (ugly), and NV-160 into Vegas.

[roadfro]

The previous three replies hit all the scenic drives I would have come up with around Reno and Las Vegas, as well as the big construction projects currently underway in each.

If you haven't been in Vegas in the last 5 years or so but were familiar with the area highways, you may want to drive I-15 near US 95 just to see the results of Project Neon. Taking US 95 south to I-15 south may be quite illustrative with the way they built that long ramp/connector (but not quite a C/D) road.

This will be my first time in Nevada, so I'm not really familiar with Vegas. What should I look out for wrt. Project Neon?

Well if you've not been to Vegas previously, then you won't know any different as you drive around freeways in the center of the city.

Project Neon was NDOT's name for the massive project that rebuilt and expanded I-15 between US 95 and Sahara Ave, added HOV lanes and a dedicated HOV exit on I-15 within that same stretch, built an HOV direct connect flyover between I-15 and US 95 at the Spaghetti Bowl, implemented some ramp braiding and other separation to significantly reduce the weaving between US 95 south and the Charleston & Sahara interchanges, (re-)constructed several adjacent/surrounding arterial streets and established a few new arterial connections to improve nearby traffic circulation, and installed giant active traffic management signs along I-15 and US 95. To date, it's the most expensive and complex highway project NDOT has ever taken on. We had a dedicated thread for Project Neon over about 6 years and 4 pages, if you want to learn more.

[ClassicHasClass]

local roads to Pahrump (ugly)

This got better. It used to be absolutely dire, but when we were in Death Valley a couple years ago (in the winter, fortunately), the drive from Furnace Creek to Pahrump wasn't too bad.

[Max Rockatansky]

local roads to Pahrump (ugly)

This got better. It used to be absolutely dire, but when we were in Death Valley a couple years ago (in the winter, fortunately), the drive from Furnace Creek to Pahrump wasn't too bad.

At some point this past decade Stateline Road was repaved.  It wasn't exactly "hellacious"  but it was pretty rough until traffic got to Death Valley Junction.

[pderocco]

local roads to Pahrump (ugly)

This got better. It used to be absolutely dire, but when we were in Death Valley a couple years ago (in the winter, fortunately), the drive from Furnace Creek to Pahrump wasn't too bad.

At some point this past decade Stateline Road was repaved.  It wasn't exactly "hellacious"  but it was pretty rough until traffic got to Death Valley Junction.

Actually, I was referring to the ride through Pahrump, which seems pretty grim. Lots of cheap casinos. The road from DVJ is okay, nothing special though.

[Sub-Urbanite]

local roads to Pahrump (ugly)

This got better. It used to be absolutely dire, but when we were in Death Valley a couple years ago (in the winter, fortunately), the drive from Furnace Creek to Pahrump wasn't too bad.

At some point this past decade Stateline Road was repaved.  It wasn't exactly "hellacious"  but it was pretty rough until traffic got to Death Valley Junction.

Actually, I was referring to the ride through Pahrump, which seems pretty grim. Lots of cheap casinos. The road from DVJ is okay, nothing special though.

Pahrump is ... Pahrump. It's no different than Barstow or Bullhead City or Kingman or any other godforsaken small city of the desert. The mountains around it are pretty. I think the drive between Pahrump and Shoshone at sunset is one of the prettiest in the desert southwest.

[Max Rockatansky]

I actually kind of liked Bullhead City.  They had some interesting roads, water access and a cool back way out via Oatman Highway.  Usually I would stay at the Edgewater across the River when I had to work in the area.  The Buffet was full of deliciously bad for you fatty foods.

[dbz77]

The traffic signal on 5th and Aultman in Ely, nevada is now gone.

It is sduch a shame, as it featuyred prominently in Hotel Nevada's marketing.

[Kniwt]

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports on plans to add multiple roundabouts in two locations: NV 159 through Red Rock Canyon, and NV 160 in Pahrump:
https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/traffic/roundabouts-may-be-coming-to-route-159-near-red-rock-route-160-in-pahrump-2635151/

The Nevada Department of Transportation kicked off a virtual public meeting Tuesday regarding the long-term outlook of Routes 159 and 160, with four in-person meetings also scheduled this month.

... Plans for Route 159 include upgrades for the Red Rock area, which serves as a popular destination for residents and visitors.
Initial plans include adding four roundabouts at side streets that experience high use. Those include the entrance to Calico Basin, the Red Rock visitor center entrance, Red Rock Canyon overlook and the Red Rock scenic loop exit.

... Route 160 is set be widened from one travel lane in each direction to two travel lanes both ways from Road Runner to just past Hafen Ranch Road. Widening the two-lane road to four lanes with a center turn lane or raised median island would provide a consistent roadway throughout the developed area. In addition, roundabouts are slated to be added at Hafen Ranch, the entrance to the Mountain Falls community and at Calvada Boulevard. Improvements to the the busy intersection of Route 160 and State Route 372 are also in the tentative plans.

Project website: https://www.ndotsr160.com/

[roadfro]

The traffic signal on 5th and Aultman in Ely, nevada is now gone.

It is sduch a shame, as it featuyred prominently in Hotel Nevada's marketing.

Looks like they also removed a signal at E 11th & Aultman, in addition to the one at W 5th. I'm willing to bet that neither of those signals has met warrants in a long time...

[SSR_317]

Pahrump is ... Pahrump. It's no different than Barstow or Bullhead City or Kingman or any other godforsaken small city of the desert. The mountains around it are pretty. I think the drive between Pahrump and Shoshone at sunset is one of the prettiest in the desert southwest.

Except that Parhump has ONE thing those other places don't... Legal Brothels!

[pderocco]

I actually kind of liked Bullhead City.  They had some interesting roads, water access and a cool back way out via Oatman Highway.  Usually I would stay at the Edgewater across the River when I had to work in the area.  The Buffet was full of deliciously bad for you fatty foods.

Oatman Hwy goes to Topock. Are you thinking of the graded dirt Silver Creek Rd?

[pderocco]

Pahrump is ... Pahrump. It's no different than Barstow or Bullhead City or Kingman or any other godforsaken small city of the desert. The mountains around it are pretty. I think the drive between Pahrump and Shoshone at sunset is one of the prettiest in the desert southwest.

Except that Parhump has ONE thing those other places don't... Legal Brothels!

I suppose that's okay, if you're into broth...

[brad2971]

The traffic signal on 5th and Aultman in Ely, nevada is now gone.

It is sduch a shame, as it featuyred prominently in Hotel Nevada's marketing.

Looks like they also removed a signal at E 11th & Aultman, in addition to the one at W 5th. I'm willing to bet that neither of those signals has met warrants in a long time...

Other than the traffic light at US 93 and US 6, what other intersection in the Ely area could justify a traffic light? While we're at it, why hasn't US 93 been rerouted onto US 6 and SR 318? It's a shorter route to Vegas from Ely, and easily gets more traffic than the current routing of US 93 gets.

[dbz77]

The traffic signal on 5th and Aultman in Ely, nevada is now gone.

It is sduch a shame, as it featuyred prominently in Hotel Nevada's marketing.

Looks like they also removed a signal at E 11th & Aultman, in addition to the one at W 5th. I'm willing to bet that neither of those signals has met warrants in a long time...

Other than the traffic light at US 93 and US 6, what other intersection in the Ely area could justify a traffic light? While we're at it, why hasn't US 93 been rerouted onto US 6 and SR 318? It's a shorter route to Vegas from Ely, and easily gets more traffic than the current routing of US 93 gets.

I am guessing the signal at 5th and Aultman was placed there to make it easier for guests of Hotel Nevada to cross US 50.

I wonder when those signals were installed. Are there any forum members from the Ely area who can shed light on this.

[Kniwt]

I am guessing the signal at 5th and Aultman was placed there to make it easier for guests of Hotel Nevada to cross US 50.

I wonder when those signals were installed. Are there any forum members from the Ely area who can shed light on this.

That got me doing some quick research. The best I've found so far is a postcard dated by the owner as just "1950s" with the signal visible: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/rppc-ely-nv-hotel-nevada-autos-adv-410137107

[US 89]

The traffic signal on 5th and Aultman in Ely, nevada is now gone.

It is sduch a shame, as it featuyred prominently in Hotel Nevada's marketing.

Looks like they also removed a signal at E 11th & Aultman, in addition to the one at W 5th. I'm willing to bet that neither of those signals has met warrants in a long time...

They were gone when I drove through Ely in June 2019.

[roadfro]

The traffic signal on 5th and Aultman in Ely, nevada is now gone.

It is sduch a shame, as it featuyred prominently in Hotel Nevada's marketing.

Looks like they also removed a signal at E 11th & Aultman, in addition to the one at W 5th. I'm willing to bet that neither of those signals has met warrants in a long time...

Other than the traffic light at US 93 and US 6, what other intersection in the Ely area could justify a traffic light?

There appears to be a traffic signal at Aultman St & Great Basin Blvd (US 50/93 junction). That and the Great Basin Blvd & Veterans Blvd (US 6/50/93 junction) are probably the only ones.

I am guessing the signal at 5th and Aultman was placed there to make it easier for guests of Hotel Nevada to cross US 50.

I wonder when those signals were installed. Are there any forum members from the Ely area who can shed light on this.

That got me doing some quick research. The best I've found so far is a postcard dated by the owner as just "1950s" with the signal visible: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/rppc-ely-nv-hotel-nevada-autos-adv-410137107

I'm not from Ely, but a semi-educated guess: Except for the post-mounted signals for the W 5th side street approaches, the removed signal installations were all single overhead signal head on short double-guy mast arms. That's a signal design that was probably more commonly installed in Nevada from the 1960s probably the late 1970s (if that long). So at least the removed equipment was likely from that vintage. But signals at those locations likely predate this, as the 1950s-era photo shows an older 4-way.

(By contrast, I'd say the signal equipment at Aultman & Great Basin is probably of 1990s/early 2000s vintage, and likely an upgrade of older signal hardware–I can't imagine there not being a signal at this junction prior to this. The signal at Great Basin & Veterans was installed between 2008 & 2011, according to Street View.)

That double-guy mast arm style is basically an endangered species in Nevada. Probably less than 10 of them left...

[roadfro]

While we're at it, why hasn't US 93 been rerouted onto US 6 and SR 318? It's a shorter route to Vegas from Ely, and easily gets more traffic than the current routing of US 93 gets.

The routing of US 93 in eastern Nevada dates to when US 93 was extended southward from its original terminus at Wells, NV. At the time, the only road leading south of Ely was what was then SR 7–which basically followed the present-day US 93 alignment from Ely south via Pioche and Caliente to the SR 168 junction. US 93 served the largest towns with decent population in this part of the state. It wouldn't be until later that SR 38 (which later became SR 318) was established, and later still until that route was fully paved–and even once established, there wasn't really much of anything along that route.

So I think ultimately, NDOT never had an appetite for changing the routing, despite SR 318 to US 6 now being the shorter path and improved to similar standards. And now, I think Pioche and Caliente would probably have a fit if NDOT were to try to move US 93 to the shorter path.

NDOT does recognize that the SR 318/US 6 path is shorter and more traveled. One testament to this is the fact that the section of US 6 from SR 318 to Ely and the entirety of SR 318 are both included in Nevada's National Highway System mileage while the analogous section of US 93 (where not concurrent with US 6/50) is not. And whenever SR 318 is closed (such as for the annual Silver State Classic Challenge open road race), there is abundant temporary signage and notice to make motorists aware of the closure.