Bids to Open on Phase 2 of 13-Mile Scenic Drive Improvements at Red Rock
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Las Vegas – Federal Highway Administration will soon open bids for proposed improvements to the 13-Mile Scenic Drive in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The bid solicitation is packaged into two schedules and one option. Notice to Proceed is expected in late summer and once a contract has been awarded, BLM and Federal Highway Administration will announce which bid schedule and option was awarded along with the timeline for construction.
Work on the first phase was completed in February 2016 and was funded by Federal Highway Administration and the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. Phase one included construction of two new bridges that replaced low water crossings at the Sandstone and Red Rock washes which have improved visitor safety and reduced maintenance during flash flood events. The Phase One project also included improvements to the visitor center parking lot.
The potential improvements for phase two include rehabilitating the pavement along the 13-Mile Scenic Drive and improving parking at the following parking lots: Calico 1, Calico 2, Sandstone Quarry, White Rock, Willow Springs, Ice Box Canyon, Red Rock Wash, and Pine Creek Canyon; improving a section of the road from the visitor center to Sandstone Quarry to two-way traffic; and constructing a one-way return route from Sandstone Quarry to the visitor center. Construction of the proposed improvements will be determined based on the results of the bidding process and the availability of funds to award the largest amount of work possible.
Options for improvement include:
- Schedule A: Pavement rehabilitation of the entire 13-Mile Scenic Drive, along 0.5 miles of Rocky Gap Road and Calico 1 Parking Lot Expansion.
- Schedule B: Schedule A as well as 11 additional parking areas
- Option X: A new alignment for a return route from Sandstone Quarry to the visitor center
Public meetings were held in 2014 and the project received wide-spread support. For more information, please visit https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/48493/510 or http://bit.ly/29oGKps.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.