CAMPO board approves US 50 East Carson Complete Streets study, asks for DRACO update and follow‑up on speeds
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Summary
The Carson Area MPO board unanimously approved the US 50 East Carson Complete Streets Corridor Study after a presentation by consultant Parametrics; members asked staff to add DRACO development comments to the final document and to return with additional speed and status information later.
The Carson Area Metropolitan Planning Organization board on Nov. 12 unanimously approved the US 50 East Carson Complete Streets Corridor Study, endorsing a package of safety and multimodal improvements developed after two years of public outreach.
Consultant Jeff Hale, of Parametrics, summarized the study area (I‑580 to Mound House), outreach methods and results, and a safety analysis that reviewed crash data from 2018–2023 and NDOT supplemental data through 2024. "There were 6 fatalities within that period," Hale said of 2018–2023 and noted NDOT data through 2024 raised the corridor total to 10, with five fatalities involving pedestrians. Hale highlighted crash hot spots near the I‑580 interchange and described recommended countermeasures including pedestrian hybrid beacons, median refuge islands, multi‑use paths, access management, and innovative intersection treatments such as restricted crossing U‑turns and high‑T intersections.
Board members pressed the consultant and staff on data gaps and implementation. Chair Novak asked about speed data on downgrades and the safety implications of installing signals on grades; a board member noted a DRACO development condition that could require a traffic signal. Kelly Norman, senior transportation planner for the Carson Area MPO, said many recommendations will be coordinated with NDOT and that some corridor work (the End Up/NDOT project) is planned for construction in 2027 and will deliver several improvements, including ADA upgrades and multi‑use path paving.
During public comment Loretta Morrison, who said she has lived on Highway 50 since 1969, urged stronger speed management and improved signage, saying, "Traffic is insane out there" and describing repeated difficulty entering and exiting side streets.
Member Bagwell moved to approve the study "with the addition of comments concerning updates for the DRACO development," the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. After the vote staff were asked to return at a later date with status updates and any speed studies so the board can monitor implementation.
The study report and appendices will be posted on the CAMPO website; staff noted the appendices were being added and that FY2025 cost estimates and right‑of‑way intensity are shown in the report. The board’s direction emphasized coordination with NDOT on access management and signal system priorities and that more detailed regional studies would be required before recommending large capacity additions such as three lanes each direction through Carson.
