East Carson businesses concerned about freeway construction

In a few months, getting to Jim Benson's feed store might be difficult. That concerns him.

"If I lose any of that (access) it will affect my business," Benson said as he looked over an aerial photograph displayed Thursday by transportation officials.

The long-awaited work to construct a new freeway through Carson City is expected to disrupt businesses such as Benson's Feed Store along Highway 50 this summer. Officials from the Nevada Department of Transportation met with business owners Thursday to open communication and listen to concerns.

Construction crews will build bridges, rebuild surface streets and dig a massive culvert through the highway this summer, at the same time many other major routes through town will be closed to the public or undergoing major work.

"This is going to be a very busy and active summer," said state transportation spokesman Scott Magruder. "There's going to be some delays but these projects need to be done."

The freeway project is continuing on track, said project manager Grant Fowkes of Ames Construction. The state's contractor has not encountered any major problems since starting last year.

A massive concrete culvert to be used for drainage now cuts a swath through the north east section of town and the Lompa property. Crews will begin the delicate task of cutting the culvert through Highway 50 this summer, closing one half of the road at a time, Fowkes said.

The project will also require building an overpass that will require pile driving, a noisy undertaking during the day.

Road crews will keep at least one lane in each direction open on the highway during the day and night. Most of the work will be done at night to avoid traffic problems, officials said.

Business owners Thursday were most concerned about getting customers to their stores or getting deliveries out.

Chris Henricksen, manager of NAPA Auto Parts, said the road construction will likely slow down deliveries drivers need to make during the day.

"It's probably going to slow down our deliveries a little bit," Henricksen said.

Construction consultant for Pinon Plaza Bill Ferris said he wasn't aware a new traffic signal would be installed at the west entrance to the casino in June. The building's loading dock is located next to where the new light will be placed.

"I didn't know it would block the delivery area," Ferris said.

Ferris is working with the state to figure out how to allow trucks to enter and exit at all times of the day at the new entrance.

The Carson City Area Chamber of Commerce has fielded several comments from concerned business owners about access and the effects of construction, said Executive Officer Larry Osborne. The chamber is working to get information on when driveways and access will be closed to avoid problems, he said.

Contact Jill Lufrano at jlufrano@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.