ELKO - Lane closures and detours will be put in place on Interstate 80 through the Carlin Canyon area as the final construction season of the Carlin Tunnels Project begins, the Nevada Department of Transportation has announced.
Beginning in the next few days, single lane closures will be put in place, with both directions of traffic continuing to travel through the tunnels. Then, in early April, westbound traffic will be detoured to the adjacent old highway U.S. 40, bypassing the under-construction tunnel area. Meanwhile, eastbound traffic will continue to travel through the eastbound tunnel. The detour is expected to add less than five minutes of travel time for each trip through the construction zone, with posted speed limits reduced to as low as 35 miles per hour in places.
Begun last year, the approximately $31 million project by Q&D Construction enhanced the eastbound I-80 tunnel through the Carlin Canyon, located approximately seven miles east of Carlin and 14 miles west of Elko. The roadbed leading up to and through the tunnel was reconstructed, including enhanced roadway drainage and new concrete near tunnel entrances. Tunnel lighting was renovated with a new LED system which improves driver visibility by gradually dimming or brightening lighting to match outside conditions. This year, similar enhancements will be made to the westbound tunnel. The project also enhances and retrofits eight bridges and improves intelligent transportation systems such as tunnel monitoring cameras and ice warning system.
The project is anticipated to complete this fall. The project utilizes the innovative Construction Manager at Risk construction method, estimated to have cut eight months from the original project timeline by integrating the contractor into project design for further construction efficiencies.
Work zone driving tips are available at www.nevadadot.com/safety.
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