Students artwork helps promote study

The Nevada Department of Transportation recently held an art contest for schools in Douglas County to help the department with a study of the U.S. 395 Southern Sierra Corridor.

Out of the total 10 schools along the corridor, including elementary, middle and high schools, the art contest produced six winners all from the elementary schools.

“The theme of the project was about transportation and their interpretation of the corridor and the future of the highway,” said NDOT Planning and Special Studies Manager Mathew Bradley. “They went after it and produced some things I think we can use.”

Bradley said one submission was selected as the study logo and the rest will be used in the study itself and the students will be acknowledged for their participation.

“I’d like to thank DCSD and each of you for allowing the students to participate in this art contest,” he said. “Initially, I had planned to select one winner from each of the four age groups, but having received so few entries, I have declared them all winners.”

The U.S. 395 Southern Sierra Corridor Study will update a study of the highway, which hasn’t been changed since 2007, according to Bradley.

“A transportation plan was not in place in 2007, so it’s time; the area and population are growing,” he said. “We will be kicking off the study and getting pubic outreach in the next couple months, especially from anyone who uses the corridor.”

The study is conducted to make improvements on the highway and encourages the population of the area to address current and future needs to improve corridor traffic conditions from Topaz Lake to Carson City. It consists of six focus areas; enhance safety, preserve infrastructure, optimize mobility, transform economies, foster sustainability and connect communities.

“We evaluate projects on these six goals and factor in cost,” said Bradley. “We also then evaluate and prioritize further based on: project readiness and dependencies, investment levels related to performance targets, regional distribution, funding levels and project funding eligibility.”

Bradley said the art project with the schools was an attempt to connect with the community and encourage the younger generation to get involved.

“I always enjoyed engaging in art projects as a kid and I wanted to encourage kids today to do the same,” said Bradley. “It also gave me an opportunity to let the parents know about the study and that they can get involved too.”

The Nevada Department of Transportation has conducted similar projects in the past that helps encourage participation and ideas within the community, such as “love NV waters” in 2016, which was an effort to help raise awareness with the younger generation about the importance of stormwater pollution prevention.

“It’s interesting to see the kids’ points of views and ideas,” said Bradley, “It also helps provoke a little bit of interest in a science, math or technology career; if we can get the kids interested in something at a young age then maybe it can turn into something for them in the future.”

For more information email Matthew Bradley at mjbradley@dot.nv.gov