Letter: Community helped with Kingsbury Grade
To the community,
As we at the Nevada Department of Transportation and Q&D Construction substantially complete the Kingsbury Grade Pavement Reconstruction Project, we want to thank local community members and businesses for their understanding and support.
Originally scheduled to continue through next summer, the project has substantially completed last week; one season ahead of the original schedule. Completing this important project ahead of schedule could not have been accomplished without the understanding of the entire community.
Many know that Kingsbury Grade was closed to through traffic near the summit in May and once again in September and early October as we reconstructed the roadbed and made safety and other improvements. By closing the grade to through traffic for these time frames, we were able to greatly cut overall project length. While this construction schedule allowed the project to complete more quickly, we know the impact that important road projects like these can have on those living and working in the area. That is why NDOT and Q&D Construction want to thank each and every resident, commuter and community member involved in the project.
Before construction began through completion, we had an opportunity to meet with residents as well as community and business leaders. This continued dialogue with the community helped us provide the most efficient, successful project for all. For example, working together, we were able to ensure that Kingsbury Grade remained open to all during the Genoa Candy Festival.
Thanks also goes to our partners at the Nevada Highway Patrol and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for helping ensure public safety throughout the project.
In addition, the South Shore Transportation Management Association, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and South Lake Tahoe resort association leaders, including the Ridge, were all engaged partners in proving feedback, guidance and strategies to enhance the project. We thank everyone for their patience.
Due to the understanding of the entire community, we are now able to provide an improved Kingsbury Grade that will connect Lake Tahoe and the Carson Valley for years to come.
Pedro Rodriguez, Nevada Department of Transportation project manager
It was worth the frustration not being able to drive up and over. Thanks for the
good work of the highway crews. We often complain but rarely thank you for a job well done.
I definitely thank you, and any and all of my great neighbors up there who made it possible, if only by putting up with the huge inconveniences for so long. As a part timer up there, I could schedule to avoid most of the delays myself, so the whole thing is like a gift to me. Hope it lasts a while. Really beautiful job that adds much value to the Tahoe Summit Village and all communities on the grade.
Superb job. Aside from the great aesthetic improvements, also notable is how all the manhole covers are now exactly smooth with the pavement so that your car won’t suffer ruined tires, ruined wheels, nor ruined alignment.
Also, the flaggers were patient and polite despite wind, rain and cold in their 24-hour coverage.
For whatever it’s worth, Kingsbury resident, the SLT Trib article on the fatality on Pioneer Trail seems to suggest that a raised manhole cover might have been involved. Of course, in car racing, where they occasionally drive at tremendous speeds, they weld down the manhole covers.
Folks wishing to drive at criminally and fatally ridiculous speeds on public streets should keep in mind that the manhole covers aren’t race ready. Among other very serious considerations.
The Trib writer also doesn’t seem to know the difference between “lying” and “laying.” My own suggestion as to how to tell the difference would likely be considered obscene and be censored out.
Sorry Kae if I’m sending your readers off to a competitor. No fear, they’ll be back. Very shortly.