Kingsbury Grade to re-open Tuesday

Kingsbury Grade (SR 207), closed since September to through traffic as part of the Nevada Department of Transportation’s Kingsbury Grade Pavement Reconstruction Project, is scheduled to reopen Oct. 7. Construction work will continue on the project over the next weeks.

The roadway will open to through traffic at approximately 6 a.m. on Tuesday following two construction closures in May and September which closed the grade near the summit. The through traffic closure was originally slated to end in mid to late October.

“These traffic closures positioned us to accomplish much of the work in half the time we would otherwise be able to,” NDOT Project Manager Pedro Rodriguez explained. “We know that a traffic closure like this impacts drivers and residents, and we want to thank each and every Kingsbury Grade motorist, resident and business, and the entire Tahoe and Carson Valley communities, for their understanding. The professional, expeditious work of the contractor, Q&D Construction, and the understanding of the community have made this a successful project thus far. We are pleased to announce the reopening of Kingsbury Grade!”

Following the opening to through traffic, roadwork such as paving, striping and utility work will continue as crews finish this season’s construction. Motorists should expect construction-related traffic delays of up to 30 minutes over the next few weeks and are asked to drive at posted construction speed limits, or slower as necessary for conditions. Construction is scheduled to resume in spring 2015.

Since the project’s start in May, nearly four miles of roadway have been reconstructed, including excavation of nearly 24,000 cubic yards of old road and placement of 21,000 tons of new asphalt. Thus far, 5,900 linear feet of storm drain pipe have also been installed as one part of the project’s drainage improvements to enhance roadside drainage and Tahoe basin water quality. More than 8,000 linear feet of curb and gutter work have also been put in place.

The $15 million project is aimed at reconstructing pavement on Kingsbury Grade to a 13-inch depth from just east of Daggett Summit to the intersection of U.S. 50 at Stateline, helping prevent continuing pavement deterioration from natural springs below the roadway. The project also makes drainage, safety, curb and gutter, sidewalk, lighting and other improvements. Motorists can find additional project information at kingsburyproject.com or by dialing 1-844-888-ROAD.