NDOT strips rumble from Red Rock

Friday, April 27, 2001 | 10:56 a.m.

Nevada Department of Transportation officials said Thursday they will not place rumble strips on the road that winds through Red Rock Canyon.

NDOT had considered putting the strips on State Route 159, which circles from Charleston Boulevard, through Red Rock Canyon, eventually joining State Route 160.

The agency puts the rumble strips on the sides of rural roads to wake drivers who stray out of their lanes. Running off the road and crashing is the leading cause of death among drivers in rural areas, agency officials say.

But bicyclists had vigorously objected to the proposal. They argue that rumble strips, which are indentations in the pavement on the shoulders of the road, are impossible to navigate.

The Red Rock road is one of the most popular spots for biking in Clark County.

Scott Magruder, NDOT spokesman, said the decision came after a recommendation from the agency's safety office.

"At this point it does not look like they will go in," he said.

Kelly Anrig, NDOT assistant chief safety engineer, said his analysis showed that the roadway didn't have the kinds of long, straight stretches best suited for the rumble strips.

The strips can save lives, he said.

"We're not just putting them in willy-nilly," he said.

The agency can revisit the decision, officials said. But Anrig said a change on policy on SR159 is unlikely.

"We'd have to see a pretty dramatic increase in a particular kind of crash," he said.

Bicyclists welcomed the news.

"I'm hopeful that this is a permanent decision," said Ken Stein, a Las Vegas Valley Bicycle Club member. "I think we won one."

But Stein said he is ready to rally against other rumble strips that NDOT may propose. Stein said he doesn't oppose all rumble strips, as long as they are in rural areas and leave at least 4 feet for bicyclists.

"There is nothing in Clark County that is rural," he said.