After a number of fatal accidents involving pedestrians in the last few months, the Nevada Department of Transportation is asking for more money to help make our roads safer.
NDOT is considering putting some kind of enhanced traffic signal at the intersection of North Virginia and Wall Streets near the Bonanza Casino in Reno, following another fatal pedestrian accident at the end of December.
“Tragically, pedestrian deaths have been on the rise across the state,” NDOT Public Information Officer Meg Ragonese said. “In 2009 there were 35 pedestrian deaths. Last year there were nearly 70."
NDOT is asking for $10 million in additional state funds for projects like crosswalks, refuge islands, and even full traffic lights at some of the worst hot spots in Nevada. That money would be in addition to the $20 million the department already uses in federal funds for this type of project. Additional funding would be split between Reno and Las Vegas.
In Reno, NDOT is looking at changes to North Virginia Street just north of the Bonanza Casino, and to parts of Sun Valley Boulevard. But they are not ready to fully commit to a change until a full study is done to make sure they don't just create more traffic problems while trying to solve pedestrian ones.
“We really don't want to create a situation with maybe a new light that could create unintentional consequences, such as an increase in rear-end collisions as people come up to that light," Ragonese said.
NDOT will be presenting its plan to the state transportation board for review on Monday.
