Kingsbury Grade opens Tuesday morning

A week and a day after opening and closing for Candy Dance weekend, the barricade across the summit of Kingsbury Grade was taken down for the winter.

The main Douglas County route between Carson Valley and Lake Tahoe officially opened 6 a.m. Tuesday, though there were reports people could cross the summit on Monday evening without a pass.

Anyone who has one of those passes should hang onto it for when the Nevada Department of Transportation closes Kingsbury again on May 1 for the last leg of work repaving four miles from Highway 50 to the summit.

“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 said. “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.”

Kingsbury’s closure was expected to continue through at least mid-October depending on weather conditions.

Spokeswoman Meg Ragonese said 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,” she said. “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, Ragonese said.

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 Highway 50 at Stateline, helping prevent continuing pavement deterioration from natural springs below the roadway, she said. 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.