NDOT to address icy road on Mount Rose Summit

Two head-on collisions in as many two weeks, a series of speeding tickets, fender benders galore and several near misses have caused officials from the Nevada Department of Transportation to consider posting a warning sign on State Route 431 at Mount Rose Summit.

Incline resident Andy Whyman, who was involved in an accident on the icy stretch of road near the Mt. Rose summit parking lot in January 2004, said every Incline local knows that the first left turn after you go over the summit is dangerous - even on sunny days.

"In the winter that road is treacherous," Whyman said. "I was only going 20 mph when my accident occurred and once I hit the ice there was no way to stop."

Now, nearly three years later, Jason Marty, NDOT supervisor for State Route 431, said the agency is finally talking about installing an electronic sign with flashing lights that will be controlled by temperature sensors in the roadway.

"That corner of the roadway has been an issue for as long as I can remember," Marty said. "It is a north-facing slope that doesn't get much sun and the snowmelt always re-freezes on the roadway."

It may take until next fall to approve the permits to install the sign, Marty said.

Both of the collisions that occurred this month resulted in minor injuries, but North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District assistant chief Mike Brown said the area presents a serious safety hazard to drivers.

"People have got to slow down," Brown said. "NDOT sands and salts the road as much as they can, but it's a very dangerous corner and drivers need to be very aware of the ice in that area."