Speed limit reduction in works for Dayton

DAYTON -- Lower speed limits east of Dayton on Highway 50 are being proposed to reduce the number of accidents there.

A 45 mph limit is being sought along Highway 50 up to Segale Road, an extension of the present limit just over two miles.

Lyon County Commissioner Bob Milz said there have been several accidents on the stretch, and that the lower speed limit may make it safer.

Now the speed limit for eastbound motorists rises from 45 mph to 55 mph at Dayton State Park. The proposal would extend that limit past the Dayton Smith's and Fortune Drive then increase the limit to 55 then 65 mph, as appropriate.

Milz said a flashing yellow light, like the ones warning motorists of the speedlimit reduction through Mound House, would be set up to warn westbound motorists.

Highway 50 goes from four to two lanes at Fortune Drive. Milz said the speed-limit reduction is a way to lower accidents until the road is widened.

"We've had so many wrecks and deaths right there," he said. "This is just a stopgap measure until we get four lanes, which will happen hopefully in the next year or two."

Scott Magruder, spokesman for the Nevada Department of Transportation, said the state will review the request for a lower speed limit as soon as tit receives the formal request.

"We have to talk to the Nevada Highway Patrol about this before we lower the speed limit," Magruder said. "But we have discussed it with Lyon County, and we are probably going to do it."

Magruder said that once the formal request is received, the review could take a couple of months at the most.

"That area is really growing," he said. "Once you start becoming an urban area, these are some of the factors you have to take into account."