Interstate 580 in Nevada--When is it to be finished?

[gonealookin]

According to the filename this relates to wind restrictions? It's certainly not obvious what the sign is trying to say.

The freeway through the Washoe Valley runs through wide-open flatland along the west shore of Washoe Lake and is very exposed to high crosswinds coming off the Carson Range.  In these conditions high-profile vehicles are required to exit the freeway at either end of the valley and use Alternate US 395 (old NV 429) which runs closer to the hills and also has a lower speed limit (45 to 55 mph vs. 70 mph on the freeway).

There are weather stations on the Galena Creek Bridge on the new segment of the freeway.  That bridge appears to also be exposed to down-canyon crosswinds, so I think at times similar prohibitions may be applied to the new freeway stretch as well.

[myosh_tino]

According to the filename this relates to wind restrictions? It's certainly not obvious what the sign is trying to say.

On the contrary.  I think what is says is quite obvious.  Trucks, campers, cars towing trailers and buses over 9 ft in length are prohibited from the freeway when such a prohibition is in place.  I suspect variable messages signs north of NV-431 and within Carson City will alert drivers when this is the case.

Granted, a better idea would be to add flashing yellow lights to the top of the sign and change the wording in the yellow section to read "WHEN FLASHING" instead of "WHEN PROHIBITED".

[agentsteel53]

yeah, the way the sign is written, it is circular logic.  "prohibited things are prohibited".

"when flashing" would be a great modification indeed. 

[national highway 1]

NDOT says the southbound lanes open tomorrow morning at 6 a.m., northbound lanes Monday at 6 a.m.  However, the northbound off-ramp to Alternate US 395 at Exit 50 (Bowers Mansion/Washoe City) won't open until October, so there will be no northbound exit between Exit 46 (Bellevue Road) and Exit 56 (Mt. Rose Highway) for several weeks.

Liking the custom font on those 'NORTH' banners. Also like the triple 'BEGIN, NORTH, ALT' US 395 banners. The new US 395 shields are pretty sharp, too.

[agentsteel53]

I do wonder why Nevada uses the custom font more prevalently on direction banners and "school bus stop ahead" signs, than any other type of sign.

[andy3175]

I've seen the custom font used extensively on STOP signs as well as the directional banners. A good example is the four way stop at Silver Springs, where US 50, US 50ALT, and US 95ALT meet (specifically heading east on US 50).

Regards,
Andy

[roadfro]

According to the filename this relates to wind restrictions? It's certainly not obvious what the sign is trying to say.

On the contrary.  I think what is says is quite obvious.  Trucks, campers, cars towing trailers and buses over 9 ft in length are prohibited from the freeway when such a prohibition is in place.  I suspect variable messages signs north of NV-431 and within Carson City will alert drivers when this is the case.

Granted, a better idea would be to add flashing yellow lights to the top of the sign and change the wording in the yellow section to read "WHEN FLASHING" instead of "WHEN PROHIBITED".

Not sure I like the design on this sign. I almost want to say this sign is temporary. Note that the sign supports are wood--NDOT (and Nevada agencies in general) rarely, if ever, specifies wood posts for permanent signs.

When NDOT was performing the wind warning system study, I commented that signs should use flashing beacons and signs that say "WHEN FLASHING" to enforce the prohibition--the VMSs don't necessarily carry legal force of law like a static sign. I would also have changed the bottom end to say "MUST EXIT / FOLLOW [US 395] ALT".

Liking the custom font on those 'NORTH' banners. Also like the triple 'BEGIN, NORTH, ALT' US 395 banners. The new US 395 shields are pretty sharp, too.

I've seen the custom font used extensively on STOP signs as well as the directional banners. A good example is the four way stop at Silver Springs, where US 50, US 50ALT, and US 95ALT meet (specifically heading east on US 50).

The US route shield appears bloated on these shields. The points appear to go right up to the edge of the sign blank, and I don't know how I feel about that.

Not sure why certain types of NDOT signs have this random custom font. I didn't even notice it really, as I don't know particulars on fonts. I have recognized the font on some NDOT stop signs though, including the ones in Silver Springs--the "S" is the dead giveaway. Most of these I've seen have been in NDOT district 2 (north/west Nevada).

[agentsteel53]

I've seen the custom font used extensively on STOP signs as well as the directional banners. A good example is the four way stop at Silver Springs, where US 50, US 50ALT, and US 95ALT meet (specifically heading east on US 50).

Regards,
Andy

you're right, STOP is a common one as well.  as mentioned, the letter S is the major giveaway. 

the one I always remember is in Beatty where US-95 makes a turn from northbound to eastbound.  It is a 48 incher, kinda hard to miss.

[andy3175]

We added a few I-580 shield pictures to AARoads ... check out:

https://www.aaroads.com/west/i-580_nv.html

https://www.aaroads.com/west/us-050_nv.html (see Business U.S. 50 east at U.S. 395/Carson City Bypass)

https://www.aaroads.com/west/us-395nb_nv.html (see title photo and reassurance marker after Exit 44)

Most of the route markers along I-580 are state named.

Regards,
Andy

[roadfro]

I find it interesting that the freeway is co-signed on the mainline as I-580/US 395, but most of the "Freeway Entrance" assemblies have been signed as solely I-580 (initially, at least). By contrast, I-515 was signed with US 93/95 in all instances simultaneously.

Also interesting with the overhead BGS on William St (old US 50, not signed as business) that they covered up the US 395 shield with an I-580 greenout patch. The original sign was designed to accommodate an added I-580 shield, so there was no reason to cover it.

[myosh_tino]

Also interesting with the overhead BGS on William St (old US 50, not signed as business) that they covered up the US 395 shield with an I-580 greenout patch. The original sign was designed to accommodate an added I-580 shield, so there was no reason to cover it.

I found it interesting that NDOT used a state-named Interstate shield on that sign.  As for the patch, could that be considered a contractor's error?  I'm not sure how easy it would be to peel off the greenout (and shield) and move it.

[roadfro]

Also interesting with the overhead BGS on William St (old US 50, not signed as business) that they covered up the US 395 shield with an I-580 greenout patch. The original sign was designed to accommodate an added I-580 shield, so there was no reason to cover it.

I found it interesting that NDOT used a state-named Interstate shield on that sign.  As for the patch, could that be considered a contractor's error?  I'm not sure how easy it would be to peel off the greenout (and shield) and move it.

NDOT's typical "greenout" is usually an aluminum or other metal plate bolted/riveted directly over the old part of the sign. That's what it looks like in the referred picture. So it should be an easy fix...although it would leave holes in the original sign.

I wonder if the crew put a post-mounted I-580 reassurance shield on top of the green patch...that would help explain why it's a state-named shield...

[roadfro]

Intentional BUMP:

Just read something on NDOT website today that says the last stretch of I-580 in Carson City (Fairview Dr to S. Carson St) is now not expected to be advertised for construction until 2015-2016, pending available funding. Construction is estimated to take 2 years once started.

NDOT has been pushing forward with smaller related projects, including relocation of utilities, closing side streets and construction of future freeway overpasses.

Wording on the project page confirms an NDOT intent to extend I-580 through the remaining portion of the Carson City Freeway upon completion.