MINUTES OF THE
	ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

	Sixty-eighth Session
	February 28, 1995


The Assembly/Senate Committee on Transportation toured the Department of 
Transportation at 1263 South Stewart Street, Carson City, Nevada.  

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
    Chairman Vonne Chowning
    Mr. John Carpenter
    Mr. David Goldwater, Vice Chairman
    Mr. Dennis Nolan
    Mrs.  Marcia de Braga
    Mrs.  Genie Ohrenschall
    Mrs. Patricia A. Tripple 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
    Chairman Thomas Batten - Excused
    Mr. Bernie Anderson, Member-Excused
    Mr. Dennis Allard, Vice Chairman - Excused

GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:
    
    Lieutenant Governor Lonnie Hammargren
    Senator William R. O'Donnell
    Senator Lawrence E. Jacobsen
    Senator Maurice Washington

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
    
    Paul Mouritsen, Senior Research Analyst
    Jackie Valley, Committee Secretary
    Don Williams, Principal Research Analyst
    Diane Rea, Committee Secretary

OTHER PRESENT:
     
Mr. Thomas Stephens, Director, Department of Transportation gave an overview 
of the Department.   He presented a map of the bypass freeway project being 
considered in Carson City, Nevada.  He stated the Department of Transportation 
has received funds in advance for this project.  He stated the pay back of the 
advance funds is due the year 2005.


Mr. Stephens introduced his staff:  Mike McFall, Assistant Director of  Highway 
Design,  Jim Dotson, Field Operations, Wayne Teglia, Administrative Services 
Officer, Brian Hutchins, Chief Deputy Attorney General. 


He stated the projected plan on the Spaghetti Bowl project is to widen the freeway 
and provide more shoulder on and off ramps.  He also reiterated that the new 
design will accomplish greater traffic flow movement. 

Mr. Stephens quoted a traffic count that is a year old at major streets in Las Vegas, 
Nevada:

Beginning at Tropicana 43,000 cars per day.
Sahara 57,000 cars per day.
Flamingo 87,000 cars per day.
Charleston and Freeway 158,000 cars per day.

He stated Spring Mountain currently known as Desert Inn Expressway is being 
renovated.  There are three phases in progress now, this project will cost 
approximately $133 million dollars.

In Sparks, Nevada a new interchange at  I-80 with new ramps, and retaining walls 
is in progress.   Pyramid Way and Nugget Avenue will be moved over from existing 
location.  Environmental issues will be looked into for contaminated soil.
 
Senator O'Donnell questioned if the county has the authority to make decisions on 
highways/freeways.  Mr. Stephens replied the county has the authority to make 
decisions in land planning and designing.  He also stated the developer has to get 
approval from the county before any project is initiated.

Dean Weitzel, Chief of Materials and Engineering, stated his department tests 
aggregate soil, and cement for bridges from contractor to meet specifications.  The 
equipment has to meet certain specifications.

Asphalt stockpiles are saved for testing for water susceptibility.  He stated the 
asphalt is designed to last for appproximately 20-30 years.

	RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:


                                                                      __________________________ 
						                   Jackie Valley,
 Committee Secretary

APPROVED BY:



_________________________
Chairman Thomas Batten



_________________________
Chairman Vonne Chowning

Assembly Committee on Transportation
February 28, 1995
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