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Carlin secures approval to use local apportionment for Carlin Trend Drive cattle‑guard repairs
Summary
The RTC voted to allow the City of Carlin to spend up to its available account balance on replacement and immediate repairs to a deteriorated cattle guard and adjoining pavement on Carlin Trend Drive; business and trucking representatives urged action citing safety and equipment damage.
The Elko County Regional Transportation Commission on Tuesday approved a motion permitting the City of Carlin to expend funds up to the balance in its RTC account to address an urgent cattle‑guard replacement and roadway work on Carlin Trend Drive.
Richard Braithwaite, Carlin city manager, asked the commission for $273,548.38 to remove a failing cattle guard on Carlin Trend Drive, fill and repave the location, and widen the approach. Braithwaite told the board Carlin already has $110,000 available in its account and sought additional apportionment if the commission found it appropriate. He said the city’s engineering estimate for widening and replacement initially totaled about $277,000 before accounting for the city’s prior engineering expenses.
“The cattle guard is in seriously bad condition and needs to be replaced,” Braithwaite said, describing the entryway’s heavy truck use and safety risks for trucks and equestrian traffic using the adjacent Collins Equestrian Center. Several RTC members noted phased work or a lower‑cost painted solution could address immediate safety needs.
Industry representatives told the commission the intersection presents a safety hazard. David Peck of Capro Trucking said large double‑trailer rigs and heavy truck traffic make the location difficult to negotiate and cause equipment damage. “It is a safety hazard as it is, condition it's in,” Peck said. Kathy Beckwith, manager at Pilot Thomas, said her company moves more than 60 trucks a day through the area and reported damaged steer tires from the cattle guard.
Amanda Ferguson, general manager of Equipment Share, said her company invested more than $70,000,000 in the site and urged the commission to act to prevent a crash: “We came in, we bought the 25 acres, and we've purchased over $70,000,000 to invest in the business here.”
After discussion about phasing and using existing money in the Carlin account, a commissioner moved to approve any expenditures by Carlin up to the amount in the Carlin account for the Carlin Trend Drive cattle‑guard replacement project. The commission voted by voice and the motion carried.
The commission did not specify an exact extra apportionment at the meeting; the approved action allows Carlin to proceed using its RTC balance and return later if it seeks additional county apportionment. The city indicated it may pair the RTC funds with its own cash to complete wider paving and shoulder work.
Next steps: Carlin staff and RTC staff will coordinate technical questions and finalize the scope and phasing so work can begin as funding allows.
