Commission approves speed cushions on Tule Springs Road; resident urges enhanced signage after nearby crash

The Las Vegas Traffic and Parking Commission voted unanimously June 26 to install two speed cushions on Tule Springs Road between Forum Road and Josie Joe Marcy Drive following a city speed study and a neighborhood outreach effort.

City traffic engineer Joseph Norby told commissioners staff mailed 227 notices about the proposal and received 42 responses in support, five opposed and 181 that were no response or indifferent. Norby said traffic counts for the corridor were in the range of about 1,300 to 1,400 vehicles per day, the posted speed limit is 25 mph, the observed average speed was about 41 mph, and the 85th-percentile speed approached 50 mph. He said those results meet the city's Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan criteria and that Las Vegas Fire and Rescue supports the proposed cushions.

Vanessa Costa Nunez, a resident of the Prairie Rose area, testified at the hearing and described a recent crash where a car went onto a walkway and struck a wall near the Joe Marcy curve; she said the curve-warning sign had been knocked down and later put back up. Costa Nunez asked the commission to consider additional measures such as a flashing sign at the curve in addition to speed cushions. Norby said signage and maintenance are outside the immediate approval but staff will forward the comment to maintenance crews and can consider adding a flashing beacon or replacing worn signs.

A motion to approve the two speed cushions passed unanimously. Commissioner Swadling seconded the motion; the record does not unambiguously identify the motion maker on the transcript. Staff said it will finalize the design and schedule installation and will coordinate any additional signage or maintenance work separately.